Oregano Hot ‘n’ Spicy

Description

Origanum ‘Hot & Spicy’ – oregano

Botanical name: Origanum vulgare ‘Hot & Spicy’
Common names: Oregano
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen aromatic perennial herb
Habit: Compact, bushy, mound-forming
Pot size: 9cm pot
Eventual size: Approx. 25–40cm tall × 30–45cm spread
Foliage: Aromatic green leaves with a notably hot, spicy scent
Flowers: Clusters of small white to pale pink flowers in summer (July–September)
Scent: Strongly aromatic, hot and spicy foliage
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; tolerates lime; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Open, hot, dry, sunny
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native to the Mediterranean and Europe
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Origanum ‘Hot & Spicy’ is an aromatic oregano with a notably hot, spicy scent, forming a bushy mound topped by white-pink summer flowers. Drought-tolerant and bee-friendly, it is superb for sunny borders and pots.

GardenAdvice notes

A punchier selection of oregano, ‘Hot & Spicy’ is grown for its aromatic green foliage, which carries a notably hot, spicy scent, and its clusters of white to pink summer flowers, which bees adore. Like all oreganos it is tough, drought-tolerant and easy, thriving on poor, dry, sunny soils, and is as ornamental in a sunny border as it is useful in a herb garden.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in well-drained soil in full sun — it thrives on poor, dry, even limy soils and dislikes rich, wet ground. Ideal for gravel, sunny borders, edging, herb gardens and containers. Improve heavy soil with grit. Space about 30cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Trim over after flowering to keep it neat and encourage fresh growth. Water only while establishing; thereafter it is drought-tolerant. Keep it on the dry side, especially over winter, to avoid rot. Divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring.
• Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in early summer.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a sunny, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is winter wet, which causes rot. Otherwise little troubled by pests or disease.

Uses in the garden

Superb for gravel and Mediterranean-style gardens, sunny borders, edging, herb gardens and containers, where the aromatic foliage and bee-friendly flowers earn their place.

Wildlife value

Oregano is among the very best plants for pollinators: the summer flowers are hugely attractive to bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

Toxicity & safety

This herb is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Hot & Spicy’ is an oregano with real punch to its aroma, and like all its kind it’s a first-rate bee plant if you let it flower. Give it full sun and poor, sharply drained soil — don’t pamper it — and shear it back after flowering to keep it neat and productive.

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