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Ballota pseudodictamnus (False dittany)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ballota pseudodictamnus
Other names
False dittany
Genus
Ballota Ballota
Species
B. pseudodictamnus - B. pseudodictamnus is one of the very best foliage plants. It is a low-growing dwarf evergreen shrub with rounded, fine white-furry leaves and stems and small pink flowers in whorls toward the stem tips, with large pale green calyces.
Ballota pseudodictamnus is: Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Cushion or Mound Forming, Rounded
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Light green, Insignificant or absent, Pale-purple in Spring; Insignificant or absent, Pale-purple, Light green in Summer
Foliage
Pale-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leafhoppers Leafhoppers
General care
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Ballota pseudodictamnus (False dittany) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
City, Drought Tolerant, Beds and borders, Gravel, Containers, Rock, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in poor, well-drained soils in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
The soft white-green leaves are a good companion to plants with purple flowers
Botanical name
Ballota pseudodictamnus
Other names
False dittany
Genus
Ballota Ballota
Species
B. pseudodictamnus - B. pseudodictamnus is one of the very best foliage plants. It is a low-growing dwarf evergreen shrub with rounded, fine white-furry leaves and stems and small pink flowers in whorls toward the stem tips, with large pale green calyces.
Native to
Crete, Greece, Turkey
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Cushion or Mound Forming, Rounded
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Light green, Insignificant or absent, Pale-purple in Spring; Insignificant or absent, Pale-purple, Light green in Summer
Foliage
Pale-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ballota pseudodictamnus (False dittany) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
City, Drought Tolerant, Beds and borders, Gravel, Containers, Rock, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in poor, well-drained soils in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Ballota pseudodictamnus (False dittany)
Common pest name
tomato thrips
Scientific pest name
Ceratothripoides brunneus
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
The soft white-green leaves are a good companion to plants with purple flowers
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