Ornamental Oregano Origanum laevigatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- oh-rih-GAY-num lah-vee-GAY-tum
- Description
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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:
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- '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'
- 'Herrenhausen', 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple', 'Lizzie', 'Pilgrim'
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Herrenhausen', 'Hopley's' or 'Hopley's Purple', 'Lizzie', 'Pilgrim'
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
