Diptam – The Burning Bush in the Garden

On summer walks, the wildflowers blooming beautifully along the paths are hard to miss. One of these plants is the Diptam, which can also be cultivated in the garden.

The Diptam stands out with its extraordinary appearance, making it a real eye-catcher in the garden. Thankfully, this unusual plant has now been cultivated for hobby gardens as well.

Anyone looking for an extraordinary focal point in their garden will not be able to overlook the Diptam. The plant originally comes from Southern Europe, China, and Korea. In Central Europe, the Diptam can occasionally be found growing wild, but it is still not very widespread in gardens here. This is because it is not the easiest plant to handle. However, those who dare to cultivate it will be rewarded with exceptionally beautiful flowers. The flowers of the plant are zygomorphic, meaning they consist of two exactly symmetrical halves.

The Diptam forms clusters of light pink flowers arranged in umbels on long, sturdy stems, creating a magnificent sight in the garden from late May to July. But the flowers are not only beautiful and extraordinary; they offer even more! The Diptam spreads an intense scent of lemon and vanilla in the garden, providing a unique olfactory experience with its essential oils. The fragrance of the plant is especially strong in sunshine. Planted next to a garden bench, one can enjoy a relaxing time beside the Diptam in the summer and indulge in its special scent.

The Diptam is also called the "burning bush." This may sound strange at first. Why would anyone want to plant something in their garden that catches fire? Is that even possible? Yes, it is. The plant’s essential oils, found in the flowers and fruits, are released so intensely at high temperatures that the flower’s lower part ignites, briefly flaring up with a bluish flame. With a bit of luck, you can observe this phenomenon at dusk. And the best part is: the Diptam does not get harmed by this!