Origanum Species, Greek Oregano, Winter Marjoram

I planted this about two or three years ago expecting it to be an annual. Nope. It survives and thrives in our zone 4 environment with ve...Read Morery little care given to it over the winter. I've seen it die all the way to the roots but it comes back even bigger each year. Now it is spreading. And reseeding itself too.

Even though it can be annoying, spreading into other areas of the garden, the flavor is great. I like adding it to various dishes, stir fries and in salad mixes. Really I need to use it more than I have.

Once established in my garden, this oregano began to thrive without any attention from me. I planted it in a rock and sand mixture beside...Read More my patio where it receives harsh, direct sunlight from noon until almost sunset and I rarely water it, yet it has more than quadrupled in size since and blooms profusely. I love having this fresh herb handy to use in the kitchen, but the flavor becomes even more intense when dried. It is easily propagated from cuttings and the bees find it attractive, so I'm rooting a few cuttings for my main flower and herb bed.

After seeing the conditions under which oregano thrives in Crete (hard red clay - everywhere), I transplanted mine to a bed near the base...Read More of an old Spruce. The soil is heavy clay with a layer of old mulch turned in and no fertilizer. Their doing as well or better than in the old herb garden and only require a good shearing a few times a year. Fresh leaves are very pungent when bruised and have a bite when eaten fresh.

I love this oregano! This grows so well- in the ground or in a pot. The flavor can't be beat either. It requires only some water from tim...Read Moree to time, yet can live through our heavy downpours.