Scientific name: Origanum vulgare
Family: LAMIACEAE
Common names: “Oregano” “pot marjoram” “English marjoram” “grove marjoram” “wintersweet”
Plant Type: Woody based deciduous perennial
Conditions:
Zone: 4-10
Light: Full sun best – part shade
Exposure: Sheltered, hot location
Soil: Rich sandy loam, no clay
Moisture: Well drained – dry, some drought tolerance
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: 1-2′ H & W
Leaf and Stem shape: Soft fuzzy green, aromatic and ovate leaves
Flower: Tall spikes of clusters of small pink, tubular flowers
Pruning: Regular pruning throughout the growing year, don’t allow it to grow taller than 8″
Maintenance: Low – medium, cut back old flowered stems in early spring for ornamental gardens, for harvest: the leaves can be picked throughout the growing season, for the best flavour allow stems to grow 8-12″ and cut back just before bloom,can be dried traditionally in bunches or in a dehydrator, for highest yield in essential oils harvest when in full bloom
Landscape use: Herb garden, raised beds, container garden, Mediterranean, groundcover, xeriscapine, wildlife garden, aromatic pathway
Propagate: By seed and division and cuttings
Pests & Disease: Generally healthy, maybe affected by leafhoppers
*Deer resistant, attracts bees and beneficial insects
Comments: Excellent companion plant for tomatoes and almost anything else in a veggie garden
Cultivars: ~AGM winner: O. v. ‘Aureum’ – “Golden oregano” – bright golden foliage
