Origanum 'Bristol Cross'

RHS Plant Profile

oregano 'Bristol Cross'

RHS

Shrubs Herbs - Culinary

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
11 Suppliers

An attractive, mound forming, semi-evergreen sub-shrub with aromatic, grey-green leaves and from late summer into autumn pendent whorls of small, tubular, purple-pink flowers with reddish bracts; although edible it is most often grown as an ornamental

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
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): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Trailing
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
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well drained, alkaline soil in full sun. Perfectly suited to container growing. Dislikes winter wet. See oregano cultivation for more information This plant was included in the RHS Origanum (oregano and marjoram) trial 2022-2023 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/plant-trial-results/origanum

Propagation

Propagate by basal cuttings or division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Rock garden

Pruning

Cut back spent flower stems in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free