Origanum laevigatum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- oh-rih-GAY-num lah-vee-GAY-tum
- Description
-
Ornamental oregano is a woody-based subshrub and herbaceous perennial native to Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, where it is found in scrublands and rocky hillsides. It is deciduous to semi-evergreen, growing 20 to 24 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, with a sprawling or creeping habit. The stems are slender, wiry, and woody, and the leaves are dark green, oval, and aromatic. Its flowers appear in clusters, blooming from July to September. Each bloom is tiny, tubular, and pinkish-purple with dark reddish-purple bracts. Ornamental oregano is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). The genus name, Origanum, originates from two Greek words. Oros means "mountain,' and gamos means "beauty." The specific epithet, laevigatum, is Latin for "smooth" or "slippery." This references the hairless leaves.
This plant grows best in full sun and in well-drained, loose, sandy soil, rich in organic matter with a neutral pH. Poorly drained soils are not tolerated and will result in root rot, but it thrives in warm, dry conditions. Winter hardy in zones 5 to 9. Pruning will help the plant maintain its shape, and deadheading the flowers will encourage more blooms. Propagated by division or softwood cuttings. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the blooms.
This plant is edible; however, it is a little bitter and does not have as strong a flavor as the culinary herb. Ornamental oregano is grown primarily for its delicate blooms and is prized as a groundcover in sandy, dry conditions.
Consider using this plant in a border, rock garden, pollinator garden, or as a ground cover. It requires very little maintenance, and the pinkish-purple flowers add color during the summer months. It may also be grown in a container, and if needed, overwintered indoors.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Ornamental oregano has no serious disease or insect problems. Spider mites and aphids may be seen. Poorly drained soils may result in root rot and powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Herrenhausen'
up to 12 to 23 inches tall, low trailing mound of aromatic green to reddish-purple leaves with red stems, purple pink flowers - 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple'
20 to 28 inches tall, gray-green foliage, purple-pink flowers, aromatic leaves, not flavorful - 'Lizzie'
up to 15 inches tall, mauve lavender flowers, fragrant foliage - 'Pilgrim'
24 inches tall, upright, arching stems, tiny glaucous-green leaves with lavender-purple flowers - 'Silver Anniversary'
15 inches tall, spreads 24 inches wide, oval, variegated, creamy yellow and white leaves, and tiny pink flowers
- 'Herrenhausen'
- 'Herrenhausen', 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple', 'Lizzie', 'Pilgrim', 'Silver Anniversary'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Herrenhausen'
up to 12 to 23 inches tall, low trailing mound of aromatic green to reddish-purple leaves with red stems, purple pink flowers - 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple'
20 to 28 inches tall, gray-green foliage, purple-pink flowers, aromatic leaves, not flavorful - 'Lizzie'
up to 15 inches tall, mauve lavender flowers, fragrant foliage - 'Pilgrim'
24 inches tall, upright, arching stems, tiny glaucous-green leaves with lavender-purple flowers - 'Silver Anniversary'
15 inches tall, spreads 24 inches wide, oval, variegated, creamy yellow and white leaves, and tiny pink flowers
- 'Herrenhausen'
- 'Herrenhausen', 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple', 'Lizzie', 'Pilgrim', 'Silver Anniversary'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Origanum
- Species:
- laevigatum
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in traditional medicine to alleviate gastrointestinal problems and as an antimicrobial.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Turkey to Northwest Syria and Cyprus
- Distribution:
- Native: Cyprus, Lebanon-Syria, and Turkey
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Edibility:
- Edible, but not as flavorful as culinary oregano.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- 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 Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are tiny, tubular, and pinkish-purple with dark reddish-purple bracts. Appears in clusters, blooming from July to September.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are small, dark green, oval, and smooth. During the colder winter months, the leaves become bronze or depp purple.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are slender, wiry, and somewhat woody at the base.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Heat
- Rabbits
