Oregano

Origanum

A genus of perennials that are part of the larger Lamiaceae family.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Aug 6 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 28 2019 in Columbia, MD

Origanum amanum
A slow growing, mat-forming, dwarf evergreen perennial, reaching a maximum size of 8 inches x 1 foot, that is native to Turkey.
The aromatic, rounded leaves are bright green.
The rosy-pink flowers are borne on upright, hop-like flowerheads, up to 1.6 inches in length, from mid-summer into fall.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on alkaline to neutral, very well drained soil. They do not enjoy winter wetness. Propagation is from semi-ripe cuttings or division.

Origanum 'Amethyst Falls'
Reaches up to 15 inches x 1.5 feet.
The foliage is gray-green.
The very profuse, bright pink ( with greenish-yellow bracts ) flowers are borne late summer to mid autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant.
In wet climates, plant on raised beds. Do not cut back until early spring.

Origanum dictamnus ( Cretan Dittany )
A twiggy, compact, mat-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 3 feet, that is native to Greece.
The aromatic, rounded leaves, up to 1 inches across, woolly gray-green.
The pink ( with purple bracts ) flowers are borne on upright, hop-like flowerheads, up to 2 inches in length, during mid summer.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil. They do not enjoy winter wetness. Propagation is from semi-ripe cuttings or division.

Origanum laevigatum
A rhizomatous, shrubby, mat-forming, woody-based perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, that is native from Cyprus & Turkey to Pakistan.
The ovate leaves are deep green ( often purple tinged ). aromatic The foliage of this Oregano does not really taste good in cooking.
The pink ( with reddish-purple bracts ) flowers are borne on upright hot-like clusters during late summer. The flowers attract butterflies.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun on alkaline to neutral, well drained soil. They do not enjoy winter wetness. Propagation is from semi-ripe cuttings or division.

* photo taken @ U.S. Botanical Garden, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

'Herrenhausen'
A very attractive, rhizomatous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2.5 x 3 ( often closer to 1 ) feet.
The foliage is deep red.
The tiny deep purple flowers are borne on dense clusters mid summer to mid autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 ( 5 on protected sites )

'Hopley's'
A spreading, shrubby perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 feet.
The deep green foliage is borne on red stems.
The blooms are hidden behind showy purplish-red bracts. The flowers are borne late summer to late autumn.
The stems are deep red.

'Rusenkuppel'
An excellent, compact, groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 2 ( rarely over 1.5 ) feet. It makes an attractive landscape plant.
The lavender-pink flowers are borne over a long season lasting from mid summer to mid autumn. The flowers attract butterflies.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

Origanum libanoticum
Also called Origanum pulchellum. A mat-forming perennial, reaching up to 1.5 x 1.5 feet.
The aromatic leaves are gray-green.
The very abundant flowers are rose-pink with papery bracts.
Hardy zones 5 to 10 in full sun on well drained soil. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant. Plant on raised beds where soil is poorly drained.

Origanum majorana ( Sweet Marjorum )
A shrubby perennial, reaching up to 2.5 feet in height, that is used as a culinary herb.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( tolerating -23 F ) in full sun.

* photos taken on June 26 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 17 2024 in Columbia, MD

Origanum rotundifolium
A rhizomatous, wiry-stemmed, twiggy, mat-forming, woody-based perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 3.3 feet, that is native to Turkey. It has a woody suckering root stock.
The heart-shaped leaves are grayish-green.
The tiny pink flowers are hidden behind large bright green bracts.
The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun on sandy, well drained soil. They do not enjoy winter wetness. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Propagation is from semi-ripe cuttings or division.

* photo taken on Aug 26 2020 in Columbia, MD

'Kent Beauty'
A fast growing, suckering, woody-based perennial, reaching up to 15 inches x 2 feet.
The oval leaves are gray-green.
The pink bracted flowers are borne on clusters over a very long season from early summer to early autumn.

* photos taken on July 21 2012 in Columbia, MD

Origanum vulgare ( Wild Marjoram )
An aromatic, rhizomatous, woody-based perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 + x 4 ( rarely over 2.5 x 3 ) feet, that is a widespread native of Europe and western & central Asia. It is also naturalized in the northeastern North America to as far north as Lion's Head, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. It is fast growing and may even be invasive on some sites. It is usually found on roadsides in the wild.
The highly aromatic, rounded leaves, up to 2 x 0.7 inches, are mid-green.
Plants collected in the wild are generally not very tasty however some of the cultivars are very aromatic and taste, being used dried or fresh, to flavor pastas and pizza. Dried or fresh, the leaves can be used to make tea.
The rose-purple flowers are borne on panicles, up to 6 ( rarely over 4 ) inches in length, are mid-summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun on light, well drained soil and is very easy to grow. It is tolerant of seashore conditions and reflected heat in urban areas. Propagation is easily done from seed, division and soft cuttings.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Goderich, Ontario

* photos taken on July 27 2015 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on June 25 2017 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on July 16 2018 @ Wye Marsh, Midland, ON

* photos taken on July 27 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 9 2022 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

'Aureum'
A mat-forming perennial, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet, that makes an attractive landscape plant. The crinkled foliage is yellow at first, later deepening to green.

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photos taken on Dec 1 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 4 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 27 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 27 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 9 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Compactum'
A compact, dwarf form, reaching only 8 ( rarely over 6 ) inches in height.

'County Cream'
Reaches up to 2 x 2 feet, with highly aromatic, golden-yellow and white foliage.
The white flowers are borne during summer.

'Golden Shine'
Reaches up to 2 x 2 feet, with golden-yellow foliage.

'Dark Leaf' ( Greek Oregano )
The strong flavored foliage is deep red during spring, turning to deep green during summer then back to deep red in autumn.

* photo taken on Aug 14 2015 in Columbia, MD

'Variegata'
Foliage is green with golden-yellow variegation, it is otherwise identical to the species. It prefers partial shade and may scorch in hot sun.

'Varona'
Compact in habit, only reaching up to 8 inches in height.
The flowers are white.
The spicy leaves are used in Italian cuisine.