Dracocephalum
( dray - koh - SEF - uh - lum )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants is commonly referred to as Dragonhead, and includes species prized for their fragrant, tubular flowers arranged in dense, whorled spikes. These plants are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and produce square stems. Use Dragonhead flowers to attract pollinators to the garden, to dress up mixed beds and borders, for mass plantings or no-traffic groundcovers, or in containers on patios or walkways.
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Dracocephalum species and varietals
The genus Dracocephalum is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae, and includes 89 species. These subshrubs and flowers grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8, though this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Dracocephalum moldavica (Moldavian Dragonhead, Moldavian Balm, Dragon's Head, Turkish Dragon's Head) This annual species is native to temperate areas of China, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. It has become naturalized in many regions of Europe, and is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-10 and can be considered invasive in some areas, including Eastern and Central Europe, North Africa, and the northeastern United States. |
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Dracocephalum parviflorum (Dragonhead Mint, American Dragonhead, Small-Flowered Dragonhead) Plants in this species are considered North American wildflowers, and are native to much of the United States, Canada, and Alaska. It can be an annual or biennial plant, producing clusters of small pink to violet flowers at the ends of branching stems. Foliage is green. |
Caring for Dracocephalum
Dracocephalum plants do well when planted in full sun. Ideally, they should be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day in order to flower well. These plants can tolerate partial shade if necessary, but they will not bloom as well. They will thrive in soil that is well-draining, moderately fertile, and with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. After planting, mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold. Water new plantings regularly until they develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants are considered to be drought-tolerant, but will produce more flowers if they are given regular waterings. As a general rule of thumb, irrigate when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.
To fertilize, apply a 2-inch blanket of compost to the planting area each year. Pull back mulch, apply compost and work it into the soil, apply some water, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, but if they seem to be struggling or not flowering well (or if local soils are particularly poor in nutrients), another application of compost can be worked into soil in early summertime. Dracocephalum plants are very easy to care for and typically do not need to be pruned much. For a neater appearance, simply remove yellowing or dead foliage and spent blossoms. An early springtime cleanup is sometimes required to clear out the foliage that got a little too cold during the winter months, as well. Simply take off all of the browned plant material and a flush of new growth will emerge, helped along by an early springtime compost nutrient boost.
Caring for Dracocephalum in Containers
Dragon's Head flowers are commonly grown in containers, which can help to limit their spread in the garden. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Dracocephalum plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
To fertilize, apply a 2-inch blanket of compost to the planting area each year. Pull back mulch, apply compost and work it into the soil, apply some water, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, but if they seem to be struggling or not flowering well (or if local soils are particularly poor in nutrients), another application of compost can be worked into soil in early summertime. Dracocephalum plants are very easy to care for and typically do not need to be pruned much. For a neater appearance, simply remove yellowing or dead foliage and spent blossoms. An early springtime cleanup is sometimes required to clear out the foliage that got a little too cold during the winter months, as well. Simply take off all of the browned plant material and a flush of new growth will emerge, helped along by an early springtime compost nutrient boost.
Caring for Dracocephalum in Containers
Dragon's Head flowers are commonly grown in containers, which can help to limit their spread in the garden. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Dracocephalum plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Propagation
Dracocephalum plants can be propagated either by using cuttings, division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division methods. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Dragon's Head, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Dracocephalum by Cutting
Propagating Dracocephalum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Dracocephalum by Seed
Propagating Dracocephalum by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- In spring, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch (it should have at least two sets of leaves) and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.
Propagating Dracocephalum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Propagating Dracocephalum by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
These plants produce seeds where flowers once bloomed.
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Dragonhead seeds are small and black.
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Problems and Pests
Certain species of Dragonhead are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Dracocephalum, or Dragonhead plants, are typically pest- and disease-resistant additions to the landscape, though they can have some issues with the following from time to time:
- Spider Mites
- Scale Insects
- Mealybugs
- Powdery Mildew
- Rust
- Blight
Gallery
These flowers are frequently grown massed together for a striking effect.
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Dragonhead flowers are considered drought-tolerant once established, and do well in rock gardens.
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These flowers add pops of blue-purple to mixed beds and borders.
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