Oregano Margaritha

Description

Origanum ‘Margaritha’ – ornamental oregano

Botanical name: Origanum ‘Margaritha’
Common names: Ornamental oregano, marjoram
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen aromatic perennial herb
Habit: Compact, bushy, mound-forming
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 20–45cm tall × 30–45cm spread
Foliage: Small, aromatic grey-green leaves on wiry, spreading stems
Flowers: Pretty flowers with showy pale, papery bracts through summer into autumn (July–September)
Scent: Aromatic foliage
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; tolerates lime; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 6–9
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 ‘Margaritha’ is a pretty ornamental oregano with aromatic grey-green foliage and dainty flowers set among showy pale bracts. Long-flowering and bee-friendly, it is lovely in gravel, sunny borders and pots.

GardenAdvice notes

A more ornamental oregano, ‘Margaritha’ is grown for its long display of dainty flowers held among showy, papery pale bracts, which have a hop-like charm and last for weeks. Aromatic and drought-tolerant, it is as pretty in a gravel garden or sunny border as it is attractive to bees, tumbling nicely over the edge of a pot or wall.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in well-drained soil in full sun — marjorams and oreganos thrive on poor, dry, even limy soils and dislike rich, wet ground. Ideal for gravel, sunny borders, edging and containers. 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

Marjoram and oregano are among the very best plants for pollinators: the summer flowers are hugely attractive to bees, butterflies and hoverflies, and are a magnet for beneficial insects.

Toxicity & safety

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

GardenAdvice tip

‘Margaritha’ blurs the line between herb and ornamental — its showy, papery bracts and long flowering make it a lovely thing for a gravel garden, sunny wall-top or pot, as well as a magnet for bees. Give it the usual oregano treatment of full sun and sharp drainage, and it will flower for weeks.

Our plants are guaranteed for 24 months for more details Click Here