Promising Plants Profiles

Origanum rotundifolium

Genus: Origanum
Specific Epithet: rotundifolium
Common Name: round-leaf oregano
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Color: white to pale pink
Form: deciduous perennial/subshrub
Hardiness Zone: 7, possible colder
Height: up to 12''
Soil: well-drained soil
Sun: full sun

Uses: ornamental, craft
Parts Used: flowering stems

"As Origanum is "herb of the year" for 2005, it gives us an opportunity to consider some species that may be overlooked or unknown to gardeners. One of these is Origanum rotundifolium, round-leaf oregano, which grows wild in Turkey, Armenia and the Republic of Georgia. It is a superb rockery or garden wall plant with a delightful mounding habit, forming an evergreen spreading mat when dormant in winter but quickly reaching 6-10 inches in height from short, woody, wiry stems.* These stems are covered by a series of clasping pairs of leaves which are rounded, slightly aromatic, prominently veined, and bluish-green. The inconspicuous pale-pink to white flowers are almost hidden by highly decorative 1-inch, yellowish-green, papery, hop-like bracts. These bracts tend to weigh down the stems, making a showy cascading effect that is especially ornamental when grown in a hanging basket or pot. The flowering stems may be used fresh for arrangements or dried for everlastings. It should be noted that although often seen in Origanum collections it should not be considered to have any particular herbal use. As round-leaf oregano self-seeds freely and is rather promiscuous in some gardens, hybrids such as 'Kent Beauty' and 'Barbara Tingey' might be a better choice, for they have respectively showier pink-tinged bracts.

Round-leaf oregano is very easy to grow if given full sun and extremely good drainage. The species is hardier and a more vigorous grower than its hybrids and probably tolerates colder temperatures than zone 7. Propagate by early spring cuttings, division, or by seed."
– Andrew Van Hevelingen, Promising Plants Presentation, 2005

* Height and appearance represent the plant's growth habit in Andrew Van Hevelingen's Zone 7b garden. The flowering stems reflect the plant's deciduous nature, but the ground-level crown retains an evergreen appearance.

Plant Source: Goodwin Creek Gardens - Williams, OR

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