Perfect for rock gardens and regions with well-drained soil and winters on the dry side, ornamental oregano is an attractive flowering perennial that’s easy to grow.
Where is the best place to plant oregano?
full sun
Oregano grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It will also grow in rocky soil, though. Native to the Mediterranean and Europe, oregano can thrive in areas with tough growing conditions. If you have swampy or heavy soil, plant oregano in a container or raised bed.
Can ornamental oregano be a houseplant?
Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty is one of the easiest plants to grow, indoors or outdoors.
Can oregano be planted in the ground?
Quick Guide to Growing Oregano
Plant oregano in spring, once all chances of frost have passed. The long stems look great spilling over the edges of containers and also work well as a ground cover. Space oregano plants 8 to 10 inches apart in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
Does oregano plant come back every year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
How do you care for ornamental oregano?
Soil should be well worked and have good drainage. Initial ornamental oregano care should feature regular watering with moderately moist soil but after the plant is established, it prefers a slightly dry environment. Ornamental oregano is a perennial and will create a larger colony over time.
What can I plant near oregano?
Oregano. In the garden: Good companion to all vegetables, especially those that are most susceptible to sap-sucking insects like aphids. Plant near peppers, eggplant, squash, beans, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and turnips, as well as strawberries.
Is ornamental oregano invasive?
The common purple-flowered oregano, Origanum vulgare, brought to North America by European immigrants, is considered a highly medicinal plant. It’s also invasive and has naturalized in parts of the US and Mexico.
How big does ornamental oregano get?
Height and Spread: Origanum ‘Hopleys’ grows up to 30 inches high and wide. Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ has a prostrate habit to 10 inches high and 12 inches wide.
Can you overwinter ornamental oregano?
Oregano, rosemary, lemon verbena, thyme, and sage can all overwinter outdoors and will benefit from a good prune in the fall. Trim away the uppermost leaves and any dead flower heads, and prune back all dead wood on the plant.
Can you use oregano as ground cover?
If you want a groundcover that cares for itself, looks lovely, blooms, attracts insects, helps prevent weeds, thrives in sunny and dry locations, and conserves moisture then look no further than an oregano groundcover. As an added bonus, groundcover oregano smells delightful when crushed or walked on.
How far will oregano spread?
about 18 inches
Plant 8 to 10 inches apart. The plants will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and spread about 18 inches.
Should I cut back oregano?
When growing oregano, it’s important to prune it, as this ensures that the plant thrives. During the spring and summer growing season, you’ll want to prune your oregano often to encourage new growth. Once the growing season is over, you’ll need to remove the dead flowers and stems.
How many years do oregano plants live?
six years
Old woody branches that become leggy (more stem than leaf) should be cut out at the end of winter, and plants should be replaced every five years to prevent legginess. The lifespan of oregano is about five or six years, and usually, one harvest is done in the first year and two in the following years.
How do you make oregano bushy?
Oregano needs regular pinching back of its growing tips, beginning when the plant is about 4 inches tall. This will promote a bushy growth habit and help to prevent leggy, straggly growth. It also can delay flowering, which is best if you want the leaves to be as flavorful as possible for culinary use.
Is ornamental oregano poisonous to cats?
It is high in both phenols and terpenoids, which cats can not properly digest due to a lack of glucuronyl transferase digestive enzymes in the liver. This can result in a toxic reaction and permanent liver damage to the cat.
Do rabbits eat ornamental oregano?
10. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) The tasty herb with its tiny pink or white flowers is a culinary delight, just not to rabbits.
What does ornamental oregano look like?
Origanum ‘Kirigami’ (Ornamental Oregano) is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial with small, rounded, light green, aromatic leaves adorned with purple-green highlights. Blooming all summer long, it produces whorls of pendulous, dusty pink, hop-like bracts with tiny, rose-pink flowers peeking out of them.
What can you not plant near oregano?
What Not To Plant With Oregano. Basil, Chives, Cilantro, and Mint all prefer soil moisture levels that are higher than what oregano plants need. If you do plant these near each other it is best to do so by planting them in separate containers.
What herbs should you not plant next to each other?
Which herbs do not go together?
| Herb | Not compatible with |
|---|---|
| Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) | Basil (Ocimum basilicum) |
| Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) | Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), cress (Lepidium sativum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), caraway (Carum carvi) |
Can I plant oregano next to rosemary?
Mediterranean herbs include rosemary, sage, oregano, marjoram, lavender, and thyme. These herbs can be planted together.