Dictamnus albus purpureus
"Dittany"
Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
Reviews.io 4.8 (30,094 reviews)
Trustpilot 4.7 (8,082 reviews)
Google 4.8 (8,133 reviews)
In cooperation with Shopify Planet and the Shopify Sustainability Fund, we are proud to be the first plant and flower bulb supplier able to:
— Ship carbon neutral;
— Remove atmospheric carbon;
— Store carbon for 1000+ years;
— Invest in reforestation;
— Invest in soil carbon storage.
How? Every time we ship an order, Shopify Planet automatically calculates our shipping emissions, and ensures high-quality carbon removal to neutralise our shipping footprint. Learn more
Description
Accent your summer borders with the upright, flower-studded spires of Dictamnus albus var. purpureus. Not only does this add variety to the planting scheme with a vertical accent, but it brings fragrance too with its aromatic leaves. There are details to admire up close too - each bloom is a soft shade of mauve-pink with delicate vein-like markings, dainty prominent anthers cascade from each flower providing the perfect landing spot for pollinators, and in autumn when the flowers of Dictamnus albus var. purpureus have finished you’ll be left with purple-blushed, star-shaped seedpods. It’s a long season of interest for a perennial which makes it worthy of a good spot in the border, where it will grow back every year.
Also known as dittany, Dictamnus albus var. purpureus is a hardy perennial plant which loves to be in a sunny or partially shaded spot and does well in light or sandy soils. It’s quite tolerant to drought once it’s established, but will need regular watering while it’s settling in. If you’re into flower arranging, you’ll find the seedpods useful material for autumn bouquets, but wear gloves when cutting because the sap can be irritant, especially in the sun. Combine Dictamnus albus var. purpureus with others which enjoy similar conditions, such as ornamental grasses like Panicum or Pennisetum, plus flowering treasures like Echinacea, Euphorbia and Astrantia.
Key features
-
Comes back every year
-
Loved by pollinators
-
In peat-free compost
-
Low maintenance
-
RHS Award (AGM)
-
Fully hardy
Specs & details
-
Botanical name
Dictamnus albus var. purpureus
-
Flower colour
Pink
-
Plant size
1
-
Established height
60-1m
-
Established spread
50-70cm
-
Plant spacing
5 plants per m2
-
Leaf colour
Green
-
Habit
Upright
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
-
Hardiness
Fully hardy
-
Years to establish
2-3 years
-
Sunlight
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade -
Position
Sheltered
-
Suitable for
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
-
Soil moisture
Damp
Free draining -
Soil type
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost
Chalk
Sand -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
-
Scented
No
-
Pollinator-friendly
Yes
-
Mouse resistant
No
-
Rabbit resistant
Yes
-
Deer resistant
Yes
-
Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
-
Soak the Dictamnus albus purpureus roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting
Plant your "Dittany" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed. Some varieties are a length of root which should be planted lengthways and shallowly (1-2cm deep).
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
-
Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
@farmergracy
Tag @farmergracy to share your garden, plants and experience!