Seeds (Kochia scoparia)

Kochia, also loved as Burning Bush or Summer Cypress (Bassia scoparia, syn. Kochia scoparia, family Amaranthaceae), is a warm-season annual grown for its show. The fine-leaved ornamental form, f. trichophylla, builds a soft, feathery mound of bright green that looks like a living cypress through summer, then ignites into brilliant scarlet and burgundy as autumn nights cool. Its neat rounded to columnar shape makes it a striking specimen, a fast living hedge, or a screen with year-defining colour.

Planting

Surface-sow the seeds and press them gently onto the soil; they need light to germinate, so do not bury them. Soaking overnight before sowing speeds emergence. They germinate at about 21-24 degC in roughly 10-15 days. Direct-sow after the last frost, or start indoors 4-6 weeks earlier and transplant out once frost has passed. Sow 2-4 seeds per spot and thin to the strongest seedling. Space specimens 60-70 cm apart, or about 20 cm for a dense hedge. Choose full sun and average, well-drained soil; it tolerates poor, alkaline, even saline ground (pH ~6-7).

Fertilizing

Apply an all-purpose fertilizer early in the season at planting to get plants established. Through the summer growing period, feed with a nitrogen-containing fertilizer to support the lush, feathery foliage that gives Kochia its character.

Care

Water moderately to keep the soil evenly moist while young plants establish; its needs are medium thereafter, and it becomes heat- and drought-tolerant. Reducing water in late summer actually intensifies the scarlet colour. Full sun is essential for dense growth and strong red tones. It is generally trouble-free with no serious pests or diseases; just shelter the tall bushy form from strong winds. Plants reach 0.6-1.5 m tall and 0.3-0.45 m wide; the autumn red is your cue they are mature.