“Sprouting Beauty: A Guide to Cultivating and Nurturing Ornamental Oregano”

Ornamental oregano, also known as Origanum species, is a plant that adds more value to your garden with its appearance than its taste. It provides an array of colors and textures that make it an excellent addition to any garden. Its pink flowers are unique in appearance and bloom from spring to fall, making it an attractive choice for a variety of dried cut-flower arrangements.

Ornamental oregano, which belongs to the same genus as culinary oregano, is a perennial plant that comes in about 20 different species. Most varieties are low-growing, reaching only 6 to 10 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide, but some can grow up to 24 inches tall. The flowers, also known as bracts, seed cones, or strobiles, come in shades of pink and purple. Ornamental oregano is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9, but it’s often grown as an annual in colder areas. This plant is perfect for rock gardens, patio containers, and hanging baskets, and it’s deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. Propagation is most commonly done by seed, which germinates in 4 to 5 days and reaches maturity in 14 to 17 weeks. Once established, ornamental oregano prefers a dry environment and doesn’t require frequent fertilization. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, and propagation can also be done through division or stem cuttings. Varieties include ‘Kent Beauty,’ ‘Kirigami,’ ‘Drops of Jupiter,’ and ‘Herrenhausen.’