Plant DetailShow Menu

Origanum laevigatum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
oh-rih-GAY-num lah-vee-GAY-tum
Description

This shrubby ornamental oregano is a herbaceous perennial native to Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. It is popular in rock and cottage gardens, growing up to 24 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. The tiny pinkish-purple flowers rise above the foliage, blooming during the summer. 

The genus name, Origanum, originates from two Greek words. Oros means "mountain,' and gamos means  "beauty." The specific epithet, laevigatum, is Latin, meaning smooth or slippery. This references the hairless leaves.

This plant grows best in full sun and in well-drained sandy soil with an alkaline to neutral pH. Ornamental oregano is intolerant to acidic and poorly drained soils. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Ornamental oregano has no serious disease or insect problems. Poorly drained soils may result in root rot. Spider mites and aphids may be seen.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Herrenhausen'
    aromatic green to reddish-purple leaves with red stems, purple pink flowers
  • 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple'
    gray-green foliage, purple-pink flowers, aromatic leaves, not flavorful
  • 'Lizzie'
    mauve lavender flowers, fragrant foliage
  • 'Pilgrim'
    arching stems with lavender-purple flowers
'Herrenhausen', 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple', 'Lizzie', 'Pilgrim'
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mass planting#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#container plant#border
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Herrenhausen'
    aromatic green to reddish-purple leaves with red stems, purple pink flowers
  • 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple'
    gray-green foliage, purple-pink flowers, aromatic leaves, not flavorful
  • 'Lizzie'
    mauve lavender flowers, fragrant foliage
  • 'Pilgrim'
    arching stems with lavender-purple flowers
'Herrenhausen', 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple', 'Lizzie', 'Pilgrim'
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mass planting#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#container plant#border
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Oreganum
    Species:
    laevigatum
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Turkey, Cyprus, and Lebanon-Syria
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are tiny, pinkish purple, and appear on terminal spikes.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Heat
    Rabbits