Cunila origanoides
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: common dittany
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: Eastern United States
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 0.75 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May to July
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Description: Lavender
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Fragrant
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought
Uses: Culinary Herb

Culture

Grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers dry, sandy soils. Easily grown from seed.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Dittany is a Missouri native plant which grows 8-16" tall and typically occurs in dry, rocky, or open woods, clearings, slopes and prairies. A mint family member which features many-branched, square, wiry stems and clusters of small, purplish (rarely white), two-lipped flowers (note the 2 long protruding stamens and pistil) arising from the leaf axils in mid-summer to fall. Oval, serrated, stalkless leaves are pleasantly aromatic. Leaves can be used in teas and have in the past been used as folk medicine remedies for fever and headaches. Origanoides in Latin means resembling oregano. At first frost, a phenomenon popularly known as "frost flowers" may occur wherein watery sap which is pushed out of stem cracks near the base becomes frozen in ribbon-like, 2" projections.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. May spread somewhat aggressively and develop a straggly appearance.

Garden Uses

An interesting perennial for the herb garden, border front, rock garden, native plant garden or naturalized area.

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