Oregano is an herb that has been used for thousands of years to flavor foods. It is a part of the mint family. While it’s a popular staple in many households, some may be surprised to learn that some oregano flowers into lovely, bright blooms.
7 of the most attractive flowering oregano varieties you can grow are Turkish Oregano, Syrian Oregano, Golden Oregano, Pilgrim Oregano, Hop-Flower Oregano, Kent Beauty Oregano, and Mexican Bush Oregano.
This article will discuss these beautiful flowering herbs. It’ll give some information about the appearance of flowers each variety produces and general care for those who may be interested in growing these herbs themselves.
Turkish Oregano
Turkish Oregano is a perennial herb, with roots in southern Turkey and Cyprus. It’s widely used in both culinary settings as well as ornamental settings. At full height, the plant can stand up to 2 feet (0.61 m) tall.
It produces small pink and white flowers that generally blossom in clusters from July to September. Not only is this plant extremely aromatic, but it pairs well with many foods from tomato sauces to bean dishes to meat, poultry, and fish
This specific plant can grow in partial to full shade. It’s attractive to butterflies and bees but is otherwise undisturbed by pests. It can serve as a filler in perennial flower beds and gardens.
Syrian Oregano
This variety of oregano is considered a giant compared to other oregano plants. It can grow about 4 feet (1.22 m) tall. However, the plant is otherwise accommodating as it doesn’t creep or crawl across the garden. It blooms with tiny white flower buds. These tiny white flowers pack a powerful taste.
Another unique attribute of this plant is the ability to harvest the leaves from early growth, when the leaves are bright green with reddish stems up until and beyond the bloom. The leaves will turn dark green as they age; despite their age, the leaves are still considered fresh and can be used dried or powdered.
Syrian Oregano, also called Lebanese Oregano and Bible Hyssop, isn’t tolerant of winter temperatures. In colder climates, it’ll grow as an annual. In warmer climates, it’s a perennial herb. This variety also packs a more intense flavor than Turkish Oregano.
Golden Oregano
The name for this plant derives from its ability to retain its golden coloring throughout cold weather. The Golden Oregano is characterized as a robust creeper. It features small leaves. The small pink, lavender, and purple flowers stand above the plant’s leaves.
The Golden Oregano delivers a nice mild flavor but must be harvested before flowering. Thus, it’s widely used in fresh and dried culinary settings. It’s often added to Greek and Mexican dishes. Golden Oregano pairs well with tomato dishes, hearty stews, and casseroles.
This plant propagates easily. It simply requires a division or cuttings in late spring. The soil requirements are well-draining and poor to moderately fertilized soil. It’s, unfortunately, prone to the following:
- Root rot
- Stem rot
- Aphids
- Spider mites
Pilgrim Oregano
Pilgrim Oregano boasts small intricate pink flowers surrounded by reddish purple bracts. The bracts hang along the length of the stem in clusters. This plant also features light blue to green foliage and has a cascading appearance. It generally grows about 2 feet (0.61 m) tall.
The fragrant Pilgrim Oregano draws many insects. The flowers are edible but have a noted spicy flavoring. Additionally, this plant is easy to grow. It requires well-draining soils and full direct sunlight six or more hours a day. Unlike other varieties listed in this article, Pilgrim Oregano isn’t drought-tolerant and requires regular watering.
Hop-Flower Oregano
Of all the flowering oregano varieties, Hopflower Oregano is one of the most unique. The trailing herb blooms all season, giving a cascading appearance on the outside of its container. The flowers bloom in a blind of pinks, greens, and creams. Hopflower Oregano is ideal in window boxes.
Like many other oregano varieties, Hopflower Oregano is drought-tolerant, and it prefers full sun and also grows in partial shade. It performs best in clay, loam, or sandy soils. The fragrant flower attracts bees while resisting deer and rabbits. It will return year after year if the old plant material is cut back in the spring before the growing season.
Kent Beauty Oregano
Kent Beauty Oregano produces an aromatic, showy pink flower from June to September. It’s quite attractive throughout the entirety of summer. The foliage is also aesthetically pleasing with its small, oval-shaped, silver-veined leaves. It’s recommended that the plant be sheared back frequently to promote the growth of new leaves and to keep the plant looking neat.
This low maintenance plant grows quickly in average soil conditions.
It tolerates dry to medium moisture and well draining soil; however, it’s prone to root rot in poorly drained soils. It does considerably well in gritty, sandy loams. Kent Beauty Oregano tolerates heat, full sun, and drought well. Like many other flowering varieties of oregano, it’s considered deer-resistant yet attractive to pollinators.
Mexican Bush Oregano
As the name suggests, Mexican Bush Oregano is a perennial native to Mexico, but it also grows naturally in the southwestern United States and throughout Central America. This variety of oregano is also known as Mexican Sage and Rosemary Mint.
It’s exceptionally aromatic and produces purple tubular-shaped flowers. The flowers bloom from spring to fall. New flowers will continue to bloom if faded flowers are removed. In some areas, the plant survives all year as an evergreen shrub.
Mexican Bush Oregano stands out because it can withstand harsh conditions. It thrives in hot, dry climates. This drought-tolerant plant is easy to care for; it can grow in different soils, although it prefers well draining, slightly alkaline soil. Freezing weather will likely cause the plant to lose its leaves, but not to fear, they’ll return in the spring.
Further, Mexican Bush Oregano isn’t prone to pests; it draws bees and butterflies but deters deer. This plant’s nectar also attracts birds who enjoy its seeds.
