Dittany of Crete. This organum only grows naturally on the rocky hillsides and mountains of Crete. A low growing spreading or trailing perennial herb with silver felted foliage, the leaves are presented in opposite pairs providing a soft mottled textural appearance to the plant. The flowers are very pretty and in ancient history Very pretty pink flowers with green hop like bracts. Will self seed or root along its stems in gravel.

The tiny, but often prolific, rose-pink flowers cascade in elongated clusters off the flower stems and are surrounded by brighter purple-pink bracts in summer and autumn. These stay on the plant through the season and dry to a delicate straw colour giving endless movement in the slightest wind. The flowers are pollinated by all types of bees attracted to their scent and bright colour, the dense hummock of foliage also seems to provides an ideal hide-away habitat for lizards in our nursery. Although we've never tried it, his plant should grow well in stone retaining walls, these replicate it's natural habitat.

In ancient times love-seeking men (erondades) would risk their lives to collect bunches of the flowers off cliffs and present them for their lovers, by taking such risks for another, they were considered highly prized; it is gathered while in bloom in the summer months, and is exported for use in pharmaceuticals, perfumery and to flavour drinks such as vermouth and absinthe