Italian Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Sun/Shade: Full sun or part shade

Flowers: Known more for its leaves than flowers, as a culinary herb, but also makes an attractive landscape plant. Does have small white flowers in summer.

Landscape Use: Makes an attractive groundcover especially for an area that receives some hot afternoon shade. Stays evergreen in winter.

Container Use: Looks good spilling out of containers.

Size: Up to two feet tall and three feet or more around.

Type: Evergreen herb.

Deer Resistance: Very Deer resistant.  

Drought Tolerance: Moderately drought tolerant.

Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.

Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Do not keep constantly wet.

Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.

Maintenance Tips: Use a weed eater or clipper often to train this groundcover into a nice tight form.  It responds very well to trimming. It does suffer some in the summer heat and looks best in the cooler growing season months of spring and fall. Trim back more severely in early spring/ late winter to remove the shaded out foliage underneath and the dead stems so that it will have a fresh start since. It will quickly grow back in spring. Do not cut back severely in the middle of summer. Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant during the spring and fall.