Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Succeeds in any good soil in full sun or partial shade. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. During the summer the whole plant becomes covered in a tacky substance like a fragrant gum. This species has a running root system and can spread freely. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

The aromatic leaves are used as a flavoring in country wines.

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season.

Scrub and moist places in deciduous forests.