PlantFiles: Dragon's Head
Dracocephalum moldavica

Germination details - Sow at 70*F, germinates within 4 - 7 days.

See my comment in Gentiana septemfida that gives Rob's technique for his baggy method.

I planted this for the first time in 2004. direct-sow into soil was successful. Flowers are small, but if you look close you can tell why it is called "dragon's head". Harvested seeds in fall frombrowning plants, simply stripped the stems, and sifted out the seeds. Foliage has wonderful lemon scent. I plan to keep this one in my yard.

Variable little annual from Central Europe as far east as China and as far north as Siberia.

Has lance like or ovate-triangular, toothed, slightly greyish, scented leaves. Bears hooded, blue or purple flowers which attract many bees.

Flowers June-August

Likes a well drained, fertile soil in sun.

Personal Experience

This little fellow has been growing in my garden for 5 years, a friend sent the ancestor to me. Slugs and ducks have devastated its growth and very often I'm left with a single stem, 3 leaves and 2-3 flowers all reaching about 3 inches high.

Despite its many hardships each year its always produces several seed and re-sows itself in the same pot to continue what now appears to be its families tradition of being an appetiser to large pests.

I really must do something about it so that next year I can post a decent photo of it.