Datisca cannabina

False Hemp
Datisca cannabina
Type: Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun
Water: Regular

Calm down; it looks like it, but it isn’t. While the foliage of this dramatic, somewhat underused perennial looks like that of marijuana, it’s actually a relative of squash. It begins its life cycle in spring when it breaks the ground, and rises rapidly to a gracefully arching shrub 8-10ft (2.4-3m) tall,while its footprint seldom exceeds 2ft (60cm) or so. The leaves are feathery and toothed, and the flowers which appear in mid summer are in the form of long, elegant chains of dangling white to chartreuse. These form seed heads which provide fall and winter interest.

Cheers,

John