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Origanum vulgare

oregano

© RHS 2002
Sold by 37 nurseries

  • Other common names oregano
    wild marjoram

    English marjoram
    grove marjoram
    pot marjoram
    wintersweet

    see more

  • Family Lamiaceae

  • Genus Origanum may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs, with aromatic foliage and spikes of small tubular flowers usually with conspicuous bracts

  • Details O. vulgare is a bushy, woody-based perennial with small, aromatic, ovate leaves and panicle-like clusters of small pink flowers in summer and early autumn

  • Plant range Europe, N. Africa

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Bushy

  • Fragrance Leaf

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H6

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect North-facing or East-facing or South-facing or West-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered or Exposed

Soil

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureWell-drained

  • SoilLoam, Chalk, Sand

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 0.5-1 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.5-1 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in a any well-drained (preferably alkaline) soil, in full sun or partial shade

Propagation Propagate by seed or by division in the autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds City & Courtyard Gardens Cottage & Informal Garden Mediterranean Climate Plants Wildflower meadow Wildlife Gardens

How to care

Pruning Cut back old, flowered stems in early spring

Pests Can get leafhoppers

Diseases Generally disease free

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