Origanum

Coming mainly from the Mediterranean area, these are very suitable for the drought tolerant garden, or rock garden, growing in pots or front of a sunny border. Leaves are opposite and aromatic, think of O. vulgare (oregano). Flowers are small, white, pink, mauve, in abundance, in clusters, but can be much more prominent in some when enhanced by coloured bracts, like O. 'Kent Beauty' or Origanum rotundifolium 'Jan's Pink'. Although generally herbaceous, some produce good strong, colourful foliage, like O. vulgare forms.

All species and forms of Origanum are an outstanding source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other insects throughout their long summer flowering-period: at peak season, whole plants can be clad with browns, skippers, blues, whites and admirals, all favourite garden butterflies, together with the tiny, jewel-like mint moth, the larvae of which use marjoram as one of their food plants.