ORIGANUM dictamnus

Small evergreen cushion plant which is also thick and compact and comes from mountainous zones of Crete Island. It has a quick growth; it can reach a maximum height of 30 cm and even the double in width. Strongly branched from the base, it is characterized by thin and delicate stems which bend downward, run on the ground and root near the nodes. Leaves are deeply aromatic, small, opposite and rounded and like the stems they are covered by a silky silvery fuzz giving the plant a gray-green color. Flowers, appearing between the summer and the beginning of autumn, are small and of a pale pink color. Gathered in showy inflorescences with big bracts, they end up by covering completely the plant.

It needs a sunny location and well-drained, dry and nutrient-poor soil. It does not tolerate water stagnation and benefits from sporadic irrigation in summer period, avoid wetting the foliage. It tolerates cold and frosts, if they are not intense and prolonged and especially if they are not associated with high humidity. in spring, after the new vegetative start, a light pruning of the branches could improve the appearance of the plant which will be thicker and will have a richer flowering. It can be grown in pot or container where it will show its drooping posture; it can be placed in rock gardens as a ground cover plant or used to create small and low scented borders if combined with other essences with contrasting foliage and flowering.