For most of us, oregano is the staple herb of the Mediterranean, so why not bring this beauty right into your garden? Ornamental Oregano is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that looks amazing in hanging baskets, containers, rock gardens, or as a small-scale groundcover.
Although Kent Beauty Origanum is not edible, as the leaves have a mild “oregano” taste, it does have a very unique appearance that gets people talking. Some even call Ornamental Oregano magical and can’t stop raving about it. With its spectacular flowers and perky rosette leaves, Kent Beauty Oregano has an unmatched appearance that seems out of this world.
Except for their flowers bracts, Ornamental Oreganos are similar to their culinary varieties when it comes to growth requirements. They are easy to care for and can survive in different garden situations.
Because most Ornamental Oregano varieties drape and hang, we recommend planting them over the edge of something, rather than letting them lay flat on the ground.
In this article, we’ll go over the main aspects that gardeners need to keep in mind when adding Kent Beauty Origanum to their plant collection. Keep reading to find out more!
About Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty
- Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty is one of the easiest plants to grow, indoors or outdoors. They are a magnet to bees and other pollinators.
- Kent Beauty Origanum is considered the peacock of the herb family, as it has received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the United Kingdom, Royal Horticultural Society. The award is made annually after the plant is analyzed for one or more years and it’s based on performance under U.K. growing conditions.
- Kent Beauty is sometimes misnamed “Origanum rotundifolium”, which is not entirely wrong, as it is a hybrid between Origanum scabrum and Origanum rotundifolium.
- The genus Origanum comprises approximately 20 species of perennials herbs and evergreen shrubs. The name “orī́ganon” comes from the Greek words “oros” which means mountain and “ganos” meaning brightness. Therefore, Origanum means the brightness of the mountain.
- Although Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty can be eaten and some people even use the stems to make potpourri, we recommend keeping it away from pets. The herb is not very toxic, but it can cause digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhoea. In some rare cases it can lead to more serious problems, so take your dog to the vet if you suspect oregano poisoning.
Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty Features
- One of the particular features of Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty is the prominent veins on their heart-shaped green leaves.
- Oregano Kent Beauty is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Unlike mint, oregano is not considered invasive, even if it does send out runners in the ground.
- Its attractive flowers are small but definitely eye-catching – they are visible through the large bracts which cover the stems. Flowers bloom profusely all summer long, so don’t be surprised if by late summer you can hardly see the leaves anymore.
- Ornamental Oregano grows to be about 6 inches (15cm) tall because of its trailing habit. Most varieties are hardy to USDA zones 4 or 5, except for Dittany of Crete which can grow only in zone 7.
- During the winter, Kent Beauty dies and comes back to life with the arrival of spring. Each spring its crown gets bigger and the stems root in different spots in the ground. The stems will continue to elongate until the flowers emerge.
Growing Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty
When growing Oregano Kent Beauty, you need to provide it with bright light and cool night temperatures to ensure the plant will beautifully bloom. Although it is considered a cold-hardy perennial, it might not survive harsh winters in cooler climates. We recommend protecting the plant with cold frames, row covers, or some extra mulch. If you properly shelter Ornamental Oregano, you increase the chance of healthy plants returning after winter’s dormancy period.
- Kent Beauty Origanum prefers temperatures of 55-70°F (13-21°C) but can tolerate 50-80°F (10-27°C) or even higher.
- If grown indoors, you might need to provide some extra humidity if the air gets too dry during winter.
- You can place the pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles to add some extra humidity to the air around the plant.
- Even though direct afternoon sun might be too much for Ornamental Oregano, some morning bright light will make the pink colour of its flowers more vibrant.
- Appearance: Ornamental Oregano has eye-catching golden-yellow or chartreuse leaves that provide a striking contrast to the typical green foliage of other plants. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and often slightly toothed at the edges. In addition to its foliage, Ornamental Oregano also produces small clusters of pink to lavender flowers in late spring or early summer.
- Size and Growth Habit: This oregano cultivar typically forms low mounds or spreading clumps, growing to a height of around 6 to 12 inches with a similar spread. The growth habit is compact, making it suitable for borders, rock gardens, and container plantings.
- Culinary Uses: While Ornamental Oregano is primarily grown for its decorative foliage, it is technically edible and shares a similar aroma and flavor profile with common culinary oregano (Origanum vulgare). However, due to its ornamental value, it is not typically used as a culinary herb.
- Growing Conditions: Ornamental Oregano thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate dry conditions once established. The golden foliage often benefits from a bit of afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent scorching.
- Uses: Ornamental Oregano is primarily grown for its decorative value in gardens and landscapes. Its golden foliage adds color and texture to various garden settings. It can be used as a ground cover, in borders, as an edging plant, or in rock gardens. The pink to lavender flowers also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Plant Categories: Fragrant Plants
- Light Requirements: sun
- Dimensions: 10.00 in high, spreads 14.00 in
- USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 5-8
- Bloom Time: May to August
- Such color play, such fragrance, such texture. Kirigami is a fabulous ornamental oregano, the perfect choice for baskets and flowerpots where long, trailing stems in a wash of brilliant hues is sought.
- The bracts on this plant are a combination of rich purple and green, while the blooms are a rich rosy shade of deep red. The show begins in late spring and continues all summer on plants that stand up to heat and humidity. Breathtaking.
- Somewhat resembling hops, the bract-and-bloom laden stems are set among small, light green, heart-shaped ¾-inch leaves. This plant from seed is more dense and flower-filled than vegetative varieties—not to mention less expensive. Kirigami reaches just 8 to 10 inches high but trails up to 14 inches long.
- Grow Kirigami as an annual north of its zone 5 hardiness range, bringing it indoors for winter or simply re-sowing in spring. The blooms are excellent in dried arrangements, their unusual shape adding hard-to-find texture to any display. And this plant is quite low maintenance, thriving even in dry soil to form a bushy, trailing plant.
- Good drainage is essential to the success of Kirigami. If yours is in question, improve the soil with the addition of porous or gritty material. For best flowering, cut this plant to the ground in late fall.
Last update on 2025-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In late fall, you can cut the plants to the ground. For a bushier appearance, regularly pinch back the plant branches so that new shoots will grow. If your oregano seems a bit too dry, cut back the affected areas and water generously to encourage its regeneration.
Even though Ornamental Oregano does not have any problems with pests and disease, planting with intention is the best defence. Make sure to provide the plants with sufficient space for airflow.
Also, using companion plants can be very helpful. Avoid planting oregano next to garlic and onions where thrips like to gather. Allow the soil to dry before watering again, and never let the plants sit in soggy soil that can cause root rot.
Planting Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty
Oregano Kent Beauty should be planted in the spring, only after the threat of frost has passed. You can successfully grow the plant in raised garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, rock gardens, and anywhere where it can curtain and show off its beautiful flowers and foliage.
Wherever you chose to plant, keep in mind that well-draining soil is essential. Containers, rock gardens, and raised beds are normally well-draining, so all you have to do is choose soil that is not heavy in clay.
If you’re not sure what type of soil you have in the garden, test it by digging a one-foot-deep (30 cm) hole and filling it with water until the water stays in the hole. Next, time how long it takes for it to drain. The hole should be empty in 12 hours; if not then you need to find another planting area.
For better drainage, plant on 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12 cm) mounds and amend the soil with a one-third part planting mix. Ornamental Oregano prefers alkaline soil, so if your soil is more acidic you can add agricultural lime to raise the pH. Oregano is a rapid grower, so it will quickly fill a pot. If it gets too big, you can cut the plant back. Ideally, you should repot only once, from the nursery pot to a larger 6 inch (15 cm) clay pot.
Watering Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty
Watering Ornamental Oregano should be done with great care, as it has a predisposition to drowning. Try to keep the plant on the dry side, and water only the top inch (2,5 cm) after the soil has dried out.
Oregano should be watered thoroughly but less frequently, as you would with a succulent. To test if the soil is dry, use your finger or a water meter.
Alternatively, you can sink a dry garden tool like a shovel into the soil away from any plant roots. Next, pull it out and see if the blade is clean and dry it means the soil can be watered. If the blase is damp and with bits of soil clinging to it, it means your soil is still moist. Container plants can be weighted to see if there is any difference in weight before and after watering. You can fertilize your Ornamental Oregano once a year in the spring, before the growing season.
Propagating Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty
Ornamental Oregano can be easily propagated from seed and cuttings. If you want to start your baby Kent Beauty directly from seeds, you need to decide if you’re going to sow them directly into the garden or start them indoors.
- You can start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and transplant them into the garden only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is over 65°F (18 °C).
- Sow the seeds ¼ inches (6 mm) deep, spaced 12 inches (30 cm) in rows that are 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Sprinkle the soil over them and gently press it with your fingers. Maintain the soil moist for one or two weeks until the plants are established.
- Another super easy method to propagate Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty is by cuttings. Chances are it will grow even if you just break a piece of the mother plant and stick it into the ground. However, we recommend doing it the proper way. Start by taking 3-4 inch (7-10 cm) cuttings from the mother plant. Make sure you use a clean knife.
- Next, strip the flowers and buds from the last 2 inches (5 cm) so that you allow the cutting can channel its energy into developing new roots. Dip the ends of the cuttings into rooting powder and insert them into a container. Place the container into clear plastic bags that cover the sticks and tie them at the end. Keep the cuttings away from direct sunlight and keep the soil moist for the next three weeks. When you notice new growth, repot them until they are large enough to be transplanted into the garden.
In Conclusion
Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty is an interesting herb with a unique appearance people can’t stop raving about. Although its flowers are petite, this hybrid cannot go unnoticed. Moreover, caring for it is very easy as it can survive in different garden situations. Kent Beauty tends to drape and hang, so it’s best to plant them in hanging baskets or over the edge of something.
Are you already growing Ornamental Oregano? Tell us more about your experience in the comment section below!
4 Comments
Thnx for all of this fabulous info. I was new to ornamental oregano last summer– and LOVE it.
I live on a high -floor condo in Vancouver, Canada– and my two decks are “open to nature” so I have no
place to over-winter inside or in a garage. I am planning to cut my two container plants back and “hide” them
under the cover-cloths for my pile of deck chairs. I hope this works! Plants will be protected from all of our endless winter rains to avoid wet feet– but who knows how they will handle the rest? I’m hoping. Your site is VERY informative!
Is there a way to preserve the color of oregano Kent beauty after it’s cut to hold its color?
Can i use cactus soil for my ornamental oregano?
I have been growing Kent Beauty for years. It’s almost indestructible in our yard. We have one in a pit which we will transplant into a larger pot in the spring. One thing to note: in the summer we had a few really warm days- and one day we had a sudden heat wave – like out of nowhere. It shot up to 110 F in half an hour. Kent dropped all her little purple florets at one time! We also had a tomato explode on the vine! So we are keeping Kent in a more shaded spot in the summer. Never seen anything like it.