Fuzzy gray-green leaves on branched stems covered with hop-like pods and lavender-pink flowers summer through fall. Needs well-drained soil. Great in containers.
Best noted for its ornamental qualities rather than its culinary ones because its flavor is much milder than the flavor of oreganos more commonly used in cooking. As a culinary herb fresh or dried, dittany of Crete may be used for seasoning soups, sauces, salads, stuffings, stews, roasts, vegetables and meats. Dried leaves are sometimes added to potpourris. It has also been a popular medicinal herb since ancient times.