Bassia scoparia Seeds Burning Bush

Bassia scoparia Seeds Burning Bush

Price for Package of 25 or 100 seeds

🌿 Bassia scoparia, commonly known as Burning Bush, Summer Cypress, Fireball, Belvedere or Mexican Firebrush, is a fast growing annual plant native to Eurasia. It develops an upright, bushy form and is valued as an ornamental plant for its attractive foliage and strong seasonal appearance.

The plant is particularly interesting in autumn, when selected forms can develop intense red coloration. The cultivar commonly known as Mexican Firebrush is noted for its bright autumn color, creating a striking seasonal display in beds, borders and ornamental plantings.

🌡️ Temperature Resistance and Winter Hardiness

Minimum temperature: Approximately 1–5°C (34–41°F) according to the RHS H2 hardiness classification. Bassia scoparia tolerates low temperatures but does not survive being frozen. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Frost: Young seedlings have been reported to tolerate frost, but the plant is an annual and should be planted outdoors after the risk of damaging frost has passed. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Winter cultivation: In climates where temperatures fall below freezing, do not rely on Bassia scoparia surviving the winter as a mature ornamental plant. It is normally grown as an annual and propagated from seed the following season.

🌱 Plant Features

Plant Type: Annual plant

Family: Amaranthaceae

Botanical Name: Bassia scoparia

Synonym: Kochia scoparia

Growth Habit: Upright, erect and bushy

Height: Approximately 45–60 cm under typical ornamental cultivation, with larger plants possible under favorable conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Foliage: Fine, narrow green leaves

Autumn Color: Green foliage may develop attractive red coloration in selected forms

Growth Rate: Rapid

Bassia scoparia is an adaptable annual capable of growing in a wide range of climatic conditions. It is particularly well adapted to dry and semi-arid environments and can establish rapidly when suitable growing conditions are available. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

☀️ Growing Conditions

Choose a sunny position with good drainage. Bassia scoparia performs best where it receives plenty of direct sunlight throughout the growing season.

The plant tolerates a broad range of soil conditions but performs well in well drained soil. Avoid permanently waterlogged ground, particularly during periods of cool weather.

Because the plant grows rapidly, provide sufficient space for its upright and branching habit. It can be used in ornamental beds, borders, gravel gardens and other areas where a seasonal vertical accent is desirable.

🌾 Sowing Instructions

Propagation: Seeds

Pretreatment: 0

Stratification: 0

Sowing Time: Spring is recommended for outdoor sowing after the danger of damaging frost has passed. The supplied source also lists all year round sowing when suitable controlled growing conditions are available.

Sowing Depth: The supplied information gives approximately 1 cm, while also stating that the seeds need light for germination. Because these instructions conflict, shallow sowing with the seeds gently pressed into the surface is preferable to deep burial.

Sowing Mix: Use a light, well drained seed starting medium.

Germination Temperature: 18–23°C (64–73°F)

Germination Time: Approximately 1–2 weeks under suitable conditions.

Light: Bright conditions are recommended during germination.

Moisture: Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged.

USDA information indicates that Bassia scoparia seeds can germinate across a broad temperature range, from approximately 3.9°C to 41°C, with optimum germination reported around 16°C. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

🌿 Support and Pruning

Bassia scoparia generally develops its characteristic upright shape without extensive maintenance. The RHS states that pruning is not required, although the plant can be lightly trimmed during summer if a neater shape is desired. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Allow sufficient space around individual plants for good air circulation and natural development of the bushy form.

🍂 Autumn Color and Ornamental Value

One of the most attractive characteristics of Burning Bush is its seasonal transformation. The standard green foliage can change color toward autumn, while selected forms such as Mexican Firebrush are particularly noted for their vivid red coloration.

This makes Bassia scoparia useful for creating strong seasonal interest in ornamental beds, borders and larger landscape plantings.

🌱 Uses

Bassia scoparia is cultivated as an ornamental plant and has also been used for erosion control and as forage in suitable agricultural situations. It is highly adaptable and can grow in dry regions where many other plants struggle.

The seeds are traditionally prepared as a Japanese food garnish known as tonburi, sometimes called land caviar or field caviar. The supplied source also describes traditional medicinal uses.

The species has additionally been studied for phytoremediation because it can accumulate certain elements from contaminated soils.

⚠️ Important Notes

Bassia scoparia can self-seed readily and may become weedy or invasive in some regions. Check local regulations before cultivation and remove unwanted plants before mature seed is dispersed if natural spreading is not desired.

The USDA notes that the species can establish rapidly and that its seeds have limited persistence in the soil seed bank, generally germinating or losing viability within approximately one year. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

The supplied information also warns that livestock consuming large quantities of Bassia scoparia can experience toxicity. It should therefore not be regarded as unrestricted livestock feed.

This product is supplied as a choice of 25 or 100 seeds, depending on the selected package.

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