Dictamnus albus var. purpureus - Dittany

Dictamnus albus var. purpureus, also known as dittany, is a hardy perennial plant, growing wild it is protected in the limestone scrublands of southern Europe and temperate regions of Asia , near woods and forests. In summer, it produces spikes of small light pink flowers striped with dark pink, which are curiously star-shaped. The thick dark green foliage resembles that of the ash tree and is highly aromatic. Slow to establish and flower, it is all the more beautiful when the soil is well-drained, dry, rocky, and poor.

It is a plant native to the Mediterranean and temperate regions of Asia and belongs to the Rutaceae family. This herbaceous perennial, measuring 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) in all directions, forms a clump of woody stems covered with foliage that releases such a quantity of essential oil, in hot and dry weather, that they ignite if a match is struck nearby, briefly surrounding the bush with a halo of flames that do not harm it.  Botanists generally believe that the burning bush referred to in the Book of Exodus is none other than Dictamnus albus.  The summer flowers can reach 90 cm (35in) in height, or even more, and the irregular spike-shaped flowers resemble those of gauras. The star-shaped corolla, composed of 7 petals, is pink to purple in the purpureus subspecies, with prominent arched stamens. The tough, glossy foliage is covered in glandular hairs that produce a sticky, inflammable substance with a lemony fragrance. The entire plant is fragrant. The dittany has a taproot and does not appreciate being moved. Its bitter and aromatic root has been used in herbal medicine as a vermifuge and diuretic.

Slow-growing and highly resilient, dittany is a botanical curiosity with real ornamental qualities. It will grow well in dry gardens, where it can be given a dry position, exposed to full sun. On the edge of woodlands, it can be paired with Gillenia trifoliata, or Digitalis lanata. On a rockery or a wall, it can be accompanied by caper plants (in mild climates), lavenders, salvias, creeping or upright rosemary, Dorycnium, Echium, and all particularly low-maintenance plants.