northern dragonhead
Dracocephalum ruyschiana
Overview
Northern dragonhead, or Dracocephalum ruyschiana, is an amazing plant, prized for its long-lasting blooms and its vibrant colors. It loves full sun and prefers dry, cold locations. Its drooping clusters of fragrant purplish-pink flowers bloom prolifically from late spring to early summer, bringing a burst of beauty to any garden. In addition, its dense cushion-like foliage turns golden-bronze when the weather cools off in autumn. With minimal care, northern dragonhead is easy to grow and a stunning addition to any garden!
Care Guide
Watering
Northern dragonhead should be watered evenly and deeply. Water when the soil is dry about 1 inch below the surface and provide about 1 inch of water per week. Make sure to water at the base of the plant and not the foliage to reduce disease. Avoid letting the soil become overly wet or soggy between watering. During dry periods in the summer, additional water may be needed.
Light
Northern dragonhead needs at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. It does best in a sunny location with some afternoon shade. If grown in too much shade, the plants will become leggy and may fail to flower. If grown in too much sun, the leaves can become scorched and the plants may not flower. Northern dragonhead generally prefers light soil with good drainage.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 3-7.
Pruning
Northern dragonhead (Dracocephalum ruyschiana) should be pruned during the early spring (late March or early April) and again in the mid to late summer (July or August). Pruning should be done moderately with an eye for maintaining the natural bush look. Cut off dead, diseased, or wilted branches. Also, if some stems are crowding others that are trying to grow, they can be trimmed off to encourage healthy growth. Overall, each individual plant should be shaped and maintained to achieve and maintain an attractive appearance.
Propagation
Division, Cutting, Seed Propagation, Layering Propagation
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