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From the first curled stems that push through in spring to the star-shaped seed pods in late fall, Dictamnus albus (Dittany, Fraxinella, Burning Bush or Gas Plant) is ornamental.

Bloom stalks rise above foliage to present spikes of long-lasting, airy flowers. Depending upon the variety, these may be white, rose with purple veining or a bluish lavender that’s rare. Stiff, shiny leaves are a rich, dark green and both foliage and flowers excellent for cutting.

Since germination is uncertain and slow, about 4 years from seed to bloom, it’s best to start with plants from the nursery. These may be set out in spring or fall about the same depth as peonies with the crowns 2 inches below ground level. Ample space should be allowed as the plant likes elbow room.

It grows somewhat like the peony, making a bushy, symmetrical clump 3 to 4 feet high and wide. It dies back each fall to come up each spring. There’s nothing temporary about it. It is long lived and has been known to outlive three generations of a family.

It blooms with the iris and painted daisy, has a long season and is equally lovely in the perennial border or as a specimen plant. Its foliage has a pervasive lemon or mint fragrance and its seeds an interesting habit of shooting out.

Most fascinating of all is a trick it does. It got its name Gas Plant for the very good reason that it exudes a sort of gas. If the evening is still, hold a match below the blooms. They will pop! Just like the gas stove when it’s lit !

Madonna Lily

Another choice, not a new flower but one as old as civilization, is the Madonna lily or Lilium candidum. The first major improvement in this oldest known of garden lilies, was the Cascade strain.

Ten years ago, a friend sent me a few bulbs. I planted them early in September and in a short while a circle of leaves came up and remained green all winter. In spring new growth was made. First, leaves broke through, then the stalks with from 3 to 8 blooms. Soon, a permanent clump formed and increased in size and beauty, year after year.

Bulbs should be planted in a sunny location not on those shaded tree in ordinary but well-drained soil, about 18 inches apart, 2 inches deep, in groups of three or four. They need but little care and are highly disease resistant.

Madonna lilies’ delightfully fragrant, rich white flowers are effective with almost any color and very beautiful with light blue delphiniums. When cut, they offer many possibilities, alone or with other flowers that bloom in late June or early July.

Climbing Fumitory

Surprise and disappointment are often experienced by gardeners and I’ve had my share of both. My most pleasant of the first emotion came this year as I was weeding a neglected spot.

Growing beside best shade tree in thick moss on top a large stone in deep, damp shade and clambering for some five or six feet over the crowns of wild violets and the blue Phlox divaricata, was a beautiful specimen of the climbing fumitory in full bloom. For a moment I thought I had found a climbing white bleedingheart, so closely did the blossoms resemble them.

This plant has great delicacy although it clings to its support with a vise-like grip – the dainty, three-pinnate, light green, fern-like foliage has all the grace of fairy wings.

Whence it came, I know not. By bird or wind? But, I do know that the climbing fumitory is a biennial and that it is not difficult to grow from seed if the conditions of its native habitat are copied. Will its descendants adorn my garden in other summers? Only time will tell.