PlantFiles: Greek Oregano, Winter Marjoram
Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum

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 very 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 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 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 time to time, yet can live through our heavy downpours.

According to Underwwod Gardens it is the most pungent of the oreganos and is very hard to find. Prized for its culinary potency. Is perennial to zone 4 when mulched. Germ. @ 60-70 deg F for 2 wks.

The one in my garden has little flavor when used fresh.

This plant is a harty plant that grows easily without much care. The only negative is that it will spread easily but is a lush aeromatic herb for Italian cooking. It doesn't seem to be bothered by insects and grows in containers in full sun.

Just planted an assortment of different oreganos and they are all doing quite well. Looking forward to them forming larger clumps. The Greek Oregano already has blooms which I'm not sure if I should snip off......

Extremely hardy and lush here in zone 7a....it stays green all winter. The one down side to this plant is that it spreads rapidly and can get invasive.

Very intense flavor and aroma makes this a favorite in my kitchen.

The flowers are irresistable to butterflies and bees and even if you don't cook with it, it should be considered for your garden on that basis alone.

Origanum vulgare hirtum is the preferred culinary oregano, and can be distinguished by its white flowers as well as its pungent aroma and flavor. Though zoned USDA 5, this variety often winters over in our Zone 3, if mulched in the fall.