Ornamental Oregano

Lately I've realized something about myself…I don't seem to like to be still! It's not so much that I like being busy…I just don't like to be "idle". I guess thats a good thing. It is fun to explore new things, cook new things and especially fun for me to try new things in my garden! The only thing I'm afraid of is am I staying busy to avoid the real issues in my life? Or the harder issues? Oh well…for now I'm staying busy at my shop and my new "venture" is trying to grow my new favorite herb in my garden!

I first saw this glorious plant several months ago while taking a walk on my street. A neighbor was giving a wedding shower that night and she called me in to see the arrangement she had asked a local florist to do. She knew I would love it because I happen to have the same container she had used…a big, fabulous bowl that is part of my McCarty and Peter's Pottery collection. However…it wasn't the bowl I was focused on! It was the most spectacular arrangement of ornamental oregano that completely filled up the bowl that had captured my attention! 

At first glance I thought it was thousands of itty bitty hydrangeas! Then she told me what it was and said it could also be planted outside! Thus began my quest for ornamental oregano!

While shopping for a few more plants to add to our array of butterfly bushes, trailing petunias, every vegetable you can imagine except for corn! I draw the line there for fear the neighbors will see my pitiful efforts at gardening! It would be tall enough to spot and I certainly don't want to be critiqued on my gardening skills…I was at the checkout counter and spied an entire display of ornamental oregano! My heart stopped! I ran over to it and just stared at it! Could this be true? I guess I caused somewhat of a commotion because before I knew it a very persnickety older woman was right beside me peering over my shoulder asking, "What is that?" I did my best to explain it to her but I'm not sure it worked!

Anyway…I snatched up some for me, paid for everything and raced home to get started!

So far I've played with it in several different spots!

I happen to think it looks lovely in my antique transferware tureen but I know it will not be happy there for long!

The clusters of blooms show up well with the black and white tureen as well as with the green walls behind it….

Although the colors are fabulous, it seems a little skimpy to me all alone….

perhaps adding a few more to it would help…but only for a while!

It definitely will thrive better outdoors!

So, this weekend will begin my journey of planting this fabulous herb outside…where it belongs if I want it to last! I'm told it does dry very well but there's something in me that just wants to see mounds of it outside in my yard!

I want it in containers,

And I love the way it looks mixed with this rosemary in another blogger's photo I found!

I want it spilling over rock gardens and perhaps even in a hanging basket?
 We shall see! But I do know that I will love watching it for many months and I'm very excited about this new "thing" to occupy my "spare" time with! 

Ornamental oregano has definitely found it's way into my heart! It has a gentle quality about it, a lovely scent and although it's not a cooking herb…to me it's definitely worth my time!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend enjoying whatever it is that you are passionate about!