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GENERAL
Origin
:
temperate,
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
fast growing
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid
Propagation :
direct sowing,
sowing and
pricking out
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
high (3500 ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
annual
Height
:
0.3 m-1.3 m
Spread
:
0.2 m-0.8 m
Foliage
:
deciduous
FLOWER
Colour
:
green
Size
:
1 cm
Period
:
July - September
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
achene
Fruit size
:
0.4 cm
The Summer Cypress is a fast-growing annual with soft foliage that resembles a Cypress tree. Du-
ring summer, it has a lush impact with its fresh, bright-green leaves, while in autumn the colour
becomes a showy reddish-purple. In Arriyadh, both colours are an attractive, seasonal addition
to the garden and have some use in public green areas. The leaves, are arranged alternately and
are linear in shape. It is more likely that it will establish itself on disturbed sites such as roadsides
and ditch banks. The thin but dense foliage, on fleshy twigs, makes the plant vulnerable to heavy
rain and wind. Inconspicuous flowers with green, leaf-like bracts occur in spikes during summer.
Small, oval fruits contain tiny dark-brown or black seeds. Its attraction is its lush, egg-shaped
appearance and the bright colour. The plant may reach a height of 1.3 metres if conditions are
favourable. It may be grown as an annual hedge for low screening, or it can even be clipped to any
topiary shape. On slopes, it may be planted to control erosion. Any soil is tolerated, but stagnant
water kills the plant just as a single, frosty night might also do. Alkaline soils and high salinity
are not a problem, but plants look poor in periods of prolonged drought. Seeds germinate within
two to three weeks. Seedlings can be grown in pots first, or the seeds may be sown directly on
site. Water frequently until established. Maintenance is minimal during growth, but after a short
time the plants have to be removed. Summer Cypresses are not poisonous.
65
Bassia scoparia,
Chenopodiaceae
Burning Bush,
Summer Cypress