Origanum vulgare 'Aureum'
golden oregano
A vigorous, reliable woody-based perennial to 30cm in height, forming a spreading clump of wiry stems bearing broadly ovate, fragrant, bright golden-yellow leaves. Pale pink tubular flowers in small terminal clusters appear in summer through to autumn. A warm flavour
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Gold Yellow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Gold Yellow | ||
| Autumn | Pink | Gold Yellow | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Genus
Origanum may be herbaceous perennials or deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs, with aromatic foliage and spikes of small tubular flowers usually with conspicuous bracts
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a any well-drained (preferably alkaline) soil, in full sun or partial shade. See oregano cultivation for further advice See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards for further information about RHS plant trials and awards
Propagation
Propagate by cuttings of non-flowering shoots in mid-summer or by division in the autumn or spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
- Rock garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back old, flowered stems in early spring
Pests
May be susceptible to leafhoppers
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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