Home Gardening Herbs and spices Origanum rotundifolium, the Kent Beauty oregano

Origanum rotundifolium, the Kent Beauty oregano

Round leaves and pale pink flowers are the mark of the Kent Beauty origanum rotundifolium variety

Origanum rotundifolium, known sometimes as oregano or marjoram, is a delicate strong-tasting herb, fragrant and easy to grow.

Origanum rotundifolium facts, a list

Name – Origanum rotundifolium
Family – Lamiaceae
Type – herbs and spices, perennial

Height – 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 cm)
Exposure – full sun
Sol – ordinary and light

Foliage – evergreen
Flowering – summer

It is perfect to flavor meals, pizzas and barbecues.

Sowing and growing Origanum rotundifolium

Sowing Origanum rotundifolium normally takes place at the very beginning of spring, towards March, in a sheltered place. You can transplant them in the ground at the end of the feasts of the Ice Saints, in the middle of May.

It is also possible to sow directly in the plot, either in the ground or in a garden box for herbs and spices, but wait for the middle of May to avoid late frosts.

Whichever is practiced, thin to 4 inches (10 cm) to let the most vigorous young plants develop well.

  • Origanum rotundifolium likes sun.
  • The ground must drain well, be light and rather dry.
  • Origanum rotundifolium does fine near salt water bodies.

Harvesting Origanum rotundifolium

Pick your Origanum rotundifolium leaves when you need them.

If possible, pick them in the morning: that is when they are most savory and your harvest will retain more of the aromas.

About Origanum rotundifolium

Origanum rotundifolium doesn’t like it when winter cold and moisture meet, so it is best to plant it on a small mound.

It isn’t all that hardy, and that is why even though it is a perennial, marjoram is grown as an annual.

Very tasty, Origanum rotundifolium is particularly well suited to meals with gravy, and also match pizzas and marinades when used dry.

Some varieties are very ornamental, such as ‘Kent Beauty’ which bears beautiful pink bracts and flowers.

Another drought-resistant variety that offers nice flowers is the ‘Dingle Fairy’.

Smart tip about Origanum rotundifolium

Its evergreen leaves make this plant a perfect vegetable patch herb that can be used along edges, or in your pots and garden boxes.

Learn more about herbs and spices

Credits for images shared to Nature & Garden (all edits by Gaspard Lorthiois):
Leaves seem to merge into flowers by 阿橋 HQ under © CC BY-SA 2.0