Datisca cannabina - Cretan Hemp

Datisca cannabina, sometimes called Perennial Hemp, is a rare plant of simple beauty, a monumental perennial designed for large spaces and natural areas. In one season, it forms a huge mass of stems and foliage that closely resembles that of cannabis. Its summer flowering, with tall inflorescences, evokes long and slender plumes in white-green to yellow, surrounded by a subtle fragrance. Freshness, exuberance, originality, that's what this unusual yet hardy plant offers, bringing an exotic and free-spirited touch to the garden, very personal indeed. It thrives in sunny locations, in rich, deep, and moist soil.

Datisca cannabina is a perennial plant native to Crete, Turkey, and spread to the western Himalayas, belonging to the Datiscaceae family. Its extremely robust stump becomes woody over time, growing to an enormous size, up to 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 feet) wide. Its growth is so rapid that it will reach 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft) in height and 80cm (32in) in width within 1 or two years. Its upright habit in spring expands after flowering. The deciduous foliage is composed of alternate leaves, divided into 7 to 9 elongated leaflets with toothed edges, turning yellow in autumn. Tiny green flowers appear in July, arranged in narrow and pendant clusters, surrounded by bracts that add even more finesse to the whole. Male and female flowers are separate on the same individual, but sometimes some plants are entirely unisexual. This herbaceous and green-scented flowering is highly melliferous. When formed, the fruits are small dehiscent capsules at maturity, arranged on a long and narrow pendant cluster. It is during this period that the plant bends and takes on the appearance of a large bouquet of fishing rods.

Datisca cannabina is an ideal plant to provide density at the back of a border. More interesting for its foliage than its flowers, it still forms a very harmonious ensemble that enhances flowering shrubs and tall perennials, and adds volume to any landscape composition. It is so vigorous that it can be used perfectly as a hedge to quickly hide an unwanted view. It fits perfectly in an exotic-style garden and pairs well with plants with broad leaves. It can be associated with other giants, such as Cephalaria gigantea, Salvia guaranitica, Persicaria polymorpha, Onopordum nervosum, Vernonia gigantea, or the surprising Napaea dioica.

Perennial Hemp provides oil as well as a bright yellow dye.