Garden Care Guide

Burning Bush Care

Bassia scoparia

A fast-growing annual that likes full sun and well-drained soil. It is grown for its leaves that turn red in autumn, but it can become weedy by dropping abundant seed.

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: None (the plant is an annual and has completed its life).
  • General care: Clear dry plant debris left over from the previous season from the soil.
February
  • Watering: None (the plant is an annual and has completed its life).
  • General care: Start preparing the soil for new planting and clear the weeds.
March
  • Watering: After sowing, water just enough to keep the soil moist (lightly 2-3 times a week).
  • General care: Sow seeds directly in the soil once the risk of last frost has passed. Hoe the soil.
  • Pests & diseases: During the seedling stage, do not leave the soil waterlogged, to guard against damping-off disease.
  • Frost risk: Protect young seedlings from frost overnight with a cover.
April
  • Watering: Once a week (5-10 L/m²).
  • Plant protection: Control aphids on young leaves; if necessary, apply an Arap soap solution (soapy water spray).
  • General care: Thin the seedlings, leaving roughly 30-40 cm between plants. Remove weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: Take action if there are aphids.
  • Frost risk: Usually over.
May
  • Watering: Once a week (10-15 L/m²).
  • Fertilizing: At the end of the month, apply balanced NPK (20-20-20) fertilizer with irrigation water (1-2 g/L) (do not overfeed).
  • Pruning: Cut back the top shoots for a fuller plant (tip pruning).
  • Plant protection: Monitor for aphids and spider mites; if necessary, use neem oil.
  • General care: Continue clearing weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see leaf spot, increase ventilation.
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: If necessary, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: It can be lightly trimmed to give it shape.
  • Plant protection: Check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites in hot, dry weather; use a suitable miticide if necessary.
  • General care: Support may be needed during the rapid growth period.
  • Pests & diseases: The spider mite population may increase.
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: If necessary, a nitrogen-dominant liquid fertilizer can be given once a month (do not overfeed).
  • Pruning: Not required; only remove dried lower leaves.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Do not let it compete with weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: Excess watering can lead to root rot, so wait for the soil to dry out.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing and stop toward the end of the month.
  • Plant protection: Not needed. The plant is nearing the end of its life.
  • Pests & diseases: In hot and humid weather, check the leaves for signs of powdery mildew.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing completely; this encourages coloring.
  • General care: If you do not want it to spread, consider removing it before the seeds mature.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see powdery mildew (white powdery appearance), you can apply a sulfur-based fungicide.
October
  • Watering: Every 15 days, very little (5 L/m²).
  • General care: It is removed at the end of the season; it is replaced with seasonal planting.
  • Pests & diseases: Since the plant has completed its life cycle, disease control is not necessary.
  • Frost risk: The plant will die with the first frosts.
November
  • General care: Pull the drying plant out of the soil and clear it away. Otherwise it can invade your garden.
  • Frost risk: The plant will be dead.
December
  • General care: Leave the area clean for the next season. You can protect the soil by mulching it.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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