Origanum laevigatum 'Hopleys'

RHS Plant Profile

oregano 'Hopleys'

RHS

Synonyms

Origanum 'Hopley's Purple'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A woody-based herbaceous perennial with a tumbling habit to 60cm with small, delicate, soft, aromatic leaves on wine-red wiry stems. Heads of relatively large (2cm long) tubular, pink flowers with deep purple bracts appear from spring through to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

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): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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 poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Dislikes winter wet. See oregano cultivation for further advice 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 division in spring. Propagate by basal cuttings in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

Cut back old, flowered stems in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free