Order Now · Ships Spring 2026
Origanum 'Barbara Tingey' (oregano)
Origanum 'Barbara Tingey' (oregano)
Delicate foliage• Showy bracts • Soft pink blooms
📦 Shipping is charged at real carrier rates.We don’t mark up shipping—costs reflect distance from our nursery and careful plant packing.
🌱 6-plant minimum per order — mix & match any varieties
📦 Ships in a 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot — well-rooted & ready to plant
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‘Barbara Tingey’ is an ornamental oregano grown mainly for its flowers rather than its culinary use. The plant has fine, lightly veined foliage and showy papery bracts that resemble soft petals. In summer, small rose-pink flowers emerge from the bracts, giving the plant a layered, floral look that reads more like a perennial flower than an herb.
Compared to the popular ‘Kent Beauty,’ this variety stays more compact and contained, which makes it especially useful for containers, small beds, and the front of borders. It trails gently instead of sprawling, adding softness and movement to plantings. The blooms attract bees and other pollinators throughout the season, and the foliage releases a mild oregano scent when touched.
If you’re looking for a plant that brings long-lasting color without taking over your space, this one is a reliable choice.
WHY GARDENERS LOVE IT
- Decorative bracts that resemble petals
- Compact, tidy growth
- Long summer bloom period
- Gentle trailing habit
- Excellent pollinator plant
- Works well in containers
HOW IT GROWS
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Sun: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained soil
- Water: Low to moderate once established
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–10
- Growth habit: Compact, gently spreading
Lean soil and sharp drainage help maintain compact growth and strong flowering.
SIZE & BLOOM
- Height × Width: Up to ~8 in. × 12 in.
- Flower color: Rose pink
- Bloom time: Summer
- Foliage: Fine, lightly veined leaves
PLANTING TIPS
- Choose sunny, open sites
- Avoid heavy or soggy soil
- Works especially well in gravel or rock gardens
- Use containers for best display habit
- Allow space for gentle trailing
BEST USES
- Containers and patio pots
- Front of borders
- Pollinator gardens
- Rock and gravel plantings
- Ornamental herb gardens
HOW TO KNOW IT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Choose ‘Barbara Tingey’ if you:
- Want an herb grown mainly for flowers
- Garden in containers or small spaces
- Prefer compact plants
- Enjoy soft, romantic colors
- Like pollinator-friendly plants
POT SIZE: 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot
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What to Expect With Your Plants
What size plants will I receive?
Most plants ship in 2 3/8” x 3 3/4” band pots—ideal for healthy root growth.
Top growth varies by variety and season, but every plant arrives well-rooted, actively growing, and ready to plant.
Grown naturally without artificial heat or lights, our plants are hardy, adaptable, and ready to thrive in real garden conditions.
When will my plants ship?
We schedule plant orders based on your area’s average last frost date and when each plant is truly ready to ship. You’ll receive an email with your estimated ship date once your order is scheduled.
Orders ship Monday–Wednesday via UPS or USPS (2–3 day service), so your plants arrive before the weekend and spend less time in transit. Shipping begins in spring—usually mid-April—when weather and plant health align, so your plants arrive strong, well-rooted, and ready to thrive.
Do you guarantee your plants?
We stand behind our plants and our packing process. While we can't control weather or how plants are cared for after arrival, we do guarantee that your plants will arrive healthy and in good condition. If there's an issue, just reach out and we're happy to help.
Are your plants inspected for plant health and disease?
Yes. Our nursery is inspected at least twice each year by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and meets state plant health and disease standards.
Why does shipping cost what it does for live plants?
Shipping live plants requires careful packaging, seasonal timing, and fast transit to ensure they arrive healthy.
Our shipping rates are calculated in real time based on box size, weight, and destination, and we always select the best available option for safe, timely delivery.
We never inflate shipping costs — you pay what it costs us to ship your order safely.
Have more questions?
We want you to feel good about your plant order. Find answers about shipping, sizing, care, and guarantees in our full FAQ.