Herbs in Our Garden

Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’

Not an edible oregano, Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ is a stunning ornamental oregano prized for its cascading, hop-like pink and chartreuse bracts that bloom from summer to fall. This oregano is in the family Lamiaceae and is native to the Mediterranean and southwestern Asia.

This is a bushy, trailing, aromatic plant (to 10” tall) with wiry stems densely covered with small, oval, silver-veined, glaucous leaves (to 3/4” long). Unique, drooping, pink-bracted, hop-like flowers bloom in whorls from summer to fall. In St. Louis, it may be grown as an annual or a perennial since it is hardy in Zones 6 through 9. It thrives in full sun and requires well drained, gritty or sandy soil. It hates wet feet. It has low water needs and is very drought tolerant once established.

It is best to shear plants back regularly before flowering to keep the planting tidy and to promote new growth. Bracted-flowers may be dried for use in dried flower arrangements. This plant is best used in rock gardens, hanging baskets or cascading over walls or fences.