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.