Ornamental Oregano as a Fragrant Invitation to Pollinators

Earth Day has passed, leaving us gardeners reminded to add more pollinator plants to the landscape. We gardeners know we need as much help as we can get when it comes to tending our gardens. And we know there are no better helpers than pollinators.

Some plants attract pollinators to such an extent, this gets indicated in their names: Bee Balm, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed... these names let us know right away how irresistible these plants are to the garden workers we rely on so much. Then, from my own experience, I think of the Panicle Hydrangeas that attract more bees and butterflies to my garden than anything else does. But I have learned recently that Oregano is a top pick for pollinators, as are minty additions to the garden. That causes me to think of how I might add a few new plants that attract pollinators not so much because they have powdery pollen or dripping nectar in sight, but instead, because they are fragrant.

I understand that Oregano of many sorts is attractive to pollinators, and I wondered about the decorative Ornamental Oregano, such as a drought-tolerant and beautiful variety called 'Kirigami'. Ornamental Oregano is not for culinary use. Why would anyone plant Oregano that is not for eating? Well, in the case of Ornamental Oregano ‘Kirigami’, gardeners plant it for its peaceful pastel foliage with leaves that layer upon one another beautifully, in branching rope-like formation, to show off the multi-toned watercolor palette that makes the plant so beautiful. And while the foliage and pink flowers of this Ornamental Oregano are attractive to the human eye, its scent is what draws in countless bees and butterflies.

Ornamental Oregano ‘Kirigami’ likes full sun. It is used by most as an annual in patio pots and hanging containers that can bask in sunlight all summer. It is known as a plant that will not disappoint when something with an unusual form and calm coloration is needed. But did I ever consider it to be a pollinator plant? Now I do.

We all think we know what pollinators like. I thought I knew. But some surprises expand the list of pollinator plants, at least for me. I am now adding Ornamental Oregano to my list.

If we have brought Lilies in from the garden, we know the powdery pollen in saturated gold or orange that rests on their stamens. Most flower arrangers carefully pull each stamen so that tablecloths and napkins do not get stained by this powder. (It looks less cute on table linens than it does when it covers bees as their busy bodies hover to engage in their pollinator work.) This visible pollen, plus sweet and dripping nectars (think Fuchsias) and visible plant centers (think Coneflowers) are what I have always counted on to draw in bees. But focusing on scent opens up a whole new range of pollinator plants, such as Ornamental Oregano, that I can add to my garden.

Other plants have scents that are pleasing to humans and irresistible to pollinators. Corsican Mint, for example, is another sun-lover which forms a spongy green mat of miniscule foliage that gives off a terrific fragrance. Bees notice this lovely plant, small but made noticeable by its perfume. And then, of course, there is Catmint, Lavender, Marjoram… so much more that is, like Ornamental Oregano ‘Kirigami’, scented in such a way as to beckon the pollinators that we need for a lovely garden and for the greater good.

Not long ago, cousins of mine established an apiary where their introduction to beekeeping was not always easy: They first experienced a swarm of bees, with their buzzing workers “leaving home” and not returning. Luckily, several years of success have followed, marked by bees that have stayed put. Liquid-gold honey is one gift from their bees, and they now experience the wonderful plant health in the gardens that surround their beekeeping set-up. We will not all become beekeepers as they are, but we can protect the pollinator populations through purposeful planting and a few simple moves.

We now know the relationship between pollinators and certain chemicals that sometimes get applied to lawns and gardens. In the spirit of Earth Day, I know I must keep in mind that planting for pollinators is beneficial, but I have to keep my yard and gardens hospitable to the pollinators I draw in.

Ornamental Oregano, Corsican Mint, and more. Consider using these to send out the invitation to the pollinators we all need. Then, work hard to keep the invited guests feeling great about the fact they accepted the invitation.