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Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’ (Golden Oregano)

Golden Oregano, Golden Marjory, Oregano 'Aureum', Wild Marjoram 'Aureum', English Marjoram 'Aureum', Grove Marjoram 'Aureum', Pot Marjoram 'Aureum', Wintersweet 'Aureum'

AGM Award
Origanum vulgare 'Aureum', Golden Oregano, Golden Marjory, Oregano 'Aureum', Wild Marjoram 'Aureum', English Marjoram 'Aureum', Grove Marjoram 'Aureum', Pot Marjoram 'Aureum', Wintersweet 'Aureum'
Origanum vulgare 'Aureum', Golden Oregano, Golden Marjory, Oregano 'Aureum', Wild Marjoram 'Aureum', English Marjoram 'Aureum', Grove Marjoram 'Aureum', Pot Marjoram 'Aureum', Wintersweet 'Aureum'
Origanum vulgare 'Aureum', Golden Oregano, Golden Marjory, Oregano 'Aureum', Wild Marjoram 'Aureum', English Marjoram 'Aureum', Grove Marjoram 'Aureum', Pot Marjoram 'Aureum', Wintersweet 'Aureum'

Highly popular, Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’ (Oregano) is a bushy, woody-based perennial forming a spreading clump of wiry stems clothed with broadly ovate, bright golden-yellow leaves. The leaves are pleasantly aromatic but are usually not considered to be good for cooking. From midsummer to fall, tiny, light pink tubular flowers are produced in small terminal clusters above the foliage. Aureum makes a superb aromatic groundcover. Great for edging, in tubs and mixed containers, or to brighten up part shade areas of the garden.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Good heat and drought tolerance. Intolerant of high humidity. Appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates.
  • Low maintenance and relatively disease and pest free, this plant is also deer resistant.
  • An excellent choice for sunny borders, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens or containers.
  • Cut back old flowered stems in early spring to keep the planting tidy and to induce growth of new leaves. 
  • Propagate by cuttings of non-flowering shoots in mid-summer or by division in the autumn or spring.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Origanum vulgare is native from Europe to central Asia.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 2 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Herbs, Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Origanum
Common names Wintersweet, Oregano
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ (Ornamental Oregano)
Origanum vulgare (Oregano)
Origanum vulgare ‘Country Cream’ (Oregano)
Origanum vulgare ‘Compactum’ (Oregano)
Origanum vulgare ‘Variegata’ (Oregano)
Origanum ‘Buckland’ (Ornamental Oregano)

Recommended Companion Plants

Geranium Rozanne (Cranesbill)
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears)
Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 2 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Herbs, Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Origanum
Common names Wintersweet, Oregano
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Origanum (Oregano)
Guides with
Origanum (Oregano)
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