Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Origanum x 'Xera Cascade'
Xera Cascade Oregano
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 inches
- Width
- 12 to 24 inches
- Flower color
- Pale rose-lime bracts with tiny violet flowers, resembling elongated hop-like structures
- Foliage color
- Silvery-blue, finely textured leaves
- Bloom time
- Summer through fall
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Maintenance
- Low; cut back old growth in early spring to encourage new foliage
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6a to 10b
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant
About this plant
Origanum x 'Xera Cascade' is an ornamental oregano known for its cascading habit and decorative floral display. From mid-summer through early fall, this hybrid produces clusters of pink flowers nestled among large, papery, hop-like bracts in shades of soft green and rose. The flowers and bracts drape gracefully over its stems, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets, raised beds, or containers.
Developed for its ornamental qualities, 'Xera Cascade' is a hybrid oregano with origins in Mediterranean herb breeding. Its aromatic foliage adds an additional layer of interest, releasing a pleasant scent when touched. While not typically grown for culinary use, this variety attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing its role in the garden as both a visual and ecological asset.
Works well in
Rock Gardens · Borders · Pollinator Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Woolly thymes · Santolinas · Lavender · Helianthemums · Verbascum · Blue oat grasses
Design tip
Allow the trailing stems to spill over walls, raised beds, or containers where the colorful bracts can be viewed at eye level. Surround it with upright blooms, silvery foliage, and graceful grasses to create layers of texture, movement, and color.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
