Origanum laevigatum 'Silver Anniversary'
Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Common Name: marjoram
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 0.75 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Colorful, Fragrant
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought, Deer, Rabbits
Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Does very well in gritty, sandy loams. Good heat and drought tolerance. Best to cut plants to the ground in late fall. If not cut back, foliage will die to the ground anyway when temperatures near zero degrees F. May not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where it should be grown in a protected location with a winter mulch.

Noteworthy Characteristics

'Silver Anniversary' is a small-leaved ornamental oregano cultivar that is grown for its attractive foliage and its flowers. Although the foliage is aromatic, it is not of the pungency and quality expected for culinary oreganos and is usually not used in cooking. It is an upright to sprawling, woody-based, shrubby perennial which typically grows in rounded mounds to 15" tall and spreads to 24" wide. Stems may root at the nodes as they go along the ground. Features oval, variegated, creamy yellow and white leaves (to 1/2" long). Tiny, pink, two-lipped flowers (typical mint family) appear in terminal or axillary spikes in summer, typically rising to as much as 10" above the foliage.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot may occur in wet, poorly drained soils.

Garden Uses

Mass in border fronts, herb gardens or rock gardens. Also effective as an edger.