Dittany of Crete Oregano
- botanical name: Origanum dictamnus
- perennial zones 7-11
- height 6-8″
- spacing 6-9″ apart
- partial shade
- average soil
- flower color pale pink/rose/mauve
- uses in garden: great in containers, dried flower, fragrant, ground cover
- use in flower arrangements, dried flowers
- attracts bees and butterflies
*Please note: We accept plant orders at any time of the year and if you prefer to place an order outside our regular shipping months of April-May, ordering is still easy. “Why we only ship in April and May”
Due to the nature of shipping live plants, when you place an order, we will simply hold your order and ship it at the proper time for your zone, when weather permits in April 2013. Seed packets are shipped year round through USPS.
For more information see our “Ordering and Shipping Policy.”
Dittany of Crete is a spreading fragrant oregano with fuzzy grey-green round leaves and papery pink bracts that make nice dried flowers. Imported here in the 1940′s, Dittany of Crete gets its name from the isle of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. One of the smaller Oreganos, Dittany of Crete prefers well-drained soil. Dittany is mostly grown as an ornamental and does not have much Oregano flavor.
Compare the Oregano varieties. View a summary of all the Oregano varieties together.
Sowing Instructions:
It is easiest to propagate from starter plants, take your cuttings in the late spring, and allowing them to root in a fine soil mix.
Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Don’t cover them with soil, as they need light to germinate. If you are worried about the seeds washing away, place a fine mesh cloth (like cheesecloth) over the seeds until they begin to poke through. Germination 4-7 days. Plant the seedlings outside after they are at least three inches tall and all danger of frost has passed.
