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ShrubsHerbs - Culinary

Origanum dictamnus

dittany of Crete

A compact, dome forming, evergreen sub-shrub to 15cm tall, with attractive arching stems bearing aromatic, rounded, densely felted, grey-green, leaves occasionally purple-mottled. Dense, nodding whorls of funnel-shaped pink flowers among hop-like purple bracts, appear in summer

Other common names

dittany of Crete
hop marjoram
see morehop plant

Synonyms

Amaracus dictamnus

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Spreading branched
Genus: Origanum may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs, with aromatic foliage and spikes of small tubular flowers usually with conspicuous bracts
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor or moderately fertile, alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun with shelter. Dislikes winter wet and may need protection from cold temperatures, suitable for growing in a container in an alpine house. See oregano cultivation for further advice Appears on Oregano & Marjoram trials index - see rhs.org.uk/trials-awards

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens
Coastal
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Cut back spent flower stems in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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