Dictamnus
WHITE GAS PLANT
SKU: 1256-005
Description
Gas Plant is a relatively unknown perennial with outstanding garden performance, and a little flammable surprise! In the summer months, the whole plant is covered with a kind of flammable substance, which is gluey to the touch, and has a very fragrant, lemony aroma; but if it takes fire, it goes off with a flash all over the plant!
It is common for this plant to be covered in swallowtail butterfly caterpillars! If you love butterflies, or have children who love nature, gas plant is an excellent addition to your butterfly garden! See images.
The name "burning bush" derives from the oils produced by the plant, which can catch fire readily in hot weather, leading to comparisons with the burning bush of the Bible, including the suggestion that this is the plant involved there. The daughter of Swedish botanist Carl Linnaues is said to have ignited the air once, at the end of a particularly hot, windless summer day, above Dictamnus plants, using a simple matchstick. Limited supply.
The flowers of Gas Plant (Dictamnus) is similar in appearance to Fireweed (Epilobium), though they are completely different species.
Type: Hardy perennial
Height: 48"
Location: Sun or part shade
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Seeds per pack: 5 large seeds
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Then bring them to a cool room (approximately 12°C, 54°F) for 6-8 weeks. If they are not growing they will need a second cold period, cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for another 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the second cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool (12-15C, 54-59F) room for them to germinate. This double cold period is not always needed, but sometimes necessary, and is very normal for these seeds. Germination is in 30-90 days after the second warming period, sometimes longer.
Description
Gas Plant is a relatively unknown perennial with outstanding garden performance, and a little flammable surprise! In the summer months, the whole plant is covered with a kind of flammable substance, which is gluey to the touch, and has a very fragrant, lemony aroma; but if it takes fire, it goes off with a flash all over the plant!
It is common for this plant to be covered in swallowtail butterfly caterpillars! If you love butterflies, or have children who love nature, gas plant is an excellent addition to your butterfly garden! See images.
The name "burning bush" derives from the oils produced by the plant, which can catch fire readily in hot weather, leading to comparisons with the burning bush of the Bible, including the suggestion that this is the plant involved there. The daughter of Swedish botanist Carl Linnaues is said to have ignited the air once, at the end of a particularly hot, windless summer day, above Dictamnus plants, using a simple matchstick. Limited supply.
The flowers of Gas Plant (Dictamnus) is similar in appearance to Fireweed (Epilobium), though they are completely different species.
Type: Hardy perennial
Height: 48"
Location: Sun or part shade
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Seeds per pack: 5 large seeds
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Then bring them to a cool room (approximately 12°C, 54°F) for 6-8 weeks. If they are not growing they will need a second cold period, cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for another 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the second cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool (12-15C, 54-59F) room for them to germinate. This double cold period is not always needed, but sometimes necessary, and is very normal for these seeds. Germination is in 30-90 days after the second warming period, sometimes longer.
