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Oreganum spp. 
Labiatae / Perennial

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Compact, Cuban, Golden, Greek's Greek, Herrenhausen, Kent Beauty, Khirgizstan, Norton’s Gold, Sicilian, Syrian   

Compact Bright green leaves in a tight mat, and compact growth. Although this variety has some scent and flavor, it is generally used as a ground cover, and not as a culinary herb. This variety likes a little shade from the hottest afternoon sun. Suitable for growing between stones when there is not enough direct sun for creeping thyme.

Cuban  Plectranthus amboinicus Not a true oregano, but rather a fuzzy, succulent-leaved, highly scented relative of the well-known coleus! In Cuba this plant is used to flavor black beans and rice; it is also tasty in salsa. This plant is often grown as a no-fail ornamental, because it is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including sun, shade, heat and drought. As a tender perennial, a hard freeze will kill it but it is very easy to root a cutting in the fall or to grow in a container year-round. Suitable as a houseplant, it grows best with at least a half day of sun.

Golden  An ornamental ground-cover variety that forms a tight mat of golden leaves, with the brightest color appearing during the cooler months. Has some oregano scent, but is not really a culinary variety. Will take some shade.

Greek's Greek  A variety from Greece that a customer gave to us years ago after he smuggled it in his luggage! We have been growing it ever since because it has an excellent "true" Greek oregano flavor. This plant has hairy leaves on a vigorous, spreading, low-growing plant that forms a mat at least 3 ft. across in one year. Flowers in midsummer are white, on stems about a foot tall. Cut back after flowering has finished. Suitable for containers. Back to Top

‘Herrenhausen’ A spreading plant with dark green leaves that turn bronzy purple in the fall, and produces purple flowers on tall stems. Flowers dry well. Not a culinary variety. Back to Top

‘Kent Beauty’ Ornamental variety with semi-trailing wiry stems and tightly packed glaucous leaves with noticeable veins. The rosy flowering bracts are especially decorative and are popular with dried flower artists. Not a culinary variety. Back to Top

Khirgizstan A pungent Greek type, with distinctive reddish stems and a strong, true oregano flavor. Excellent for culinary use. The growth habit is vigorous and low-growing, will spread 3 ft. or more in one year. Adapts well to container culture, where it will trail over the edge. White flowers in summer on stems a foot to a foot and a half tall (cut back after flowering is finished). Grows wild in the mountains of Khirgizstan (Kyrgyzstan according to the current atlas), a country in Asia that shares a border with northwestern China. Back to Top

Oregano libanoticum A low-growing spreading variety that is grown for the pink flower bracts that are very ornamental. Not a culinary variety. Back to Top

Mexican Oregano Lippia graveolens Not a true oregano, this shrubby grower has an intense oregano scent and flavor. Related to lemon verbena. White flowers in summer. Back to Top

‘Norton’s Gold’ Bright golden leaves in the spring, and medium golden-green in the summer. Reaches 1–2 feet tall. Has an oregano scent, but is not a culinary variety. The flowers are green and light pink, and grow on tall stems that can be harvested for dried arrangements. Back to Top

Sicilian Origanum x majoricum An excellent culinary variety that grows into a sturdy bushy plant with an upright growth habit. Easy and reliable. The flavor is sweeter than the Greek types, and resembles marjoram. Spreads to form a clump 2–4 feet in diameter. Has tall white flowers in early summer. Cut back after flowering and new growth will come from the base. Back to Top

Syrian  Origanum syriacum Pungent oregano scent on an upright grower with fuzzy leaves. Needs a sunny well-drained open location; likes growing in containers. White flowers. Back to Top

Pete's Herbs • 5920 Chisolm Road • Johns Island, SC 29455 • 843 559-1446 • petes.5920@juno.com