Burning bush, Dittany
This is a genus of only one species with a widespread native habitat from Europe through to China where it lives in open woodland, dry grasslands and rocky sites. As you would expect, these plants are totally hardy clump forming perennials and are quite happy in full sun or shade in a border.
The leathery leaves are pinnate, lemon scented and about 12in long with ovate lance shaped leaflets. The flowers arrive in early summer in long open racemes with five petals. The stamens project out from individual flowers.
Clumps will achieve a height of 15-30in with a slightly smaller spread. These are trouble free to grow and the woody rootstocks can be lifted and divided in autumn or spring.
