Arabic Name

السرو الصيفي

Latin Name

Bassia scoparia , Chenopodiaceae

English Name

Burning Bush, Summer Cypress

The Summer Cypress is a fast-growing annual with soft foliage that resembles a Cypress tree. During 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.