Culinary Oregano
Native to the Mediterranean region and popular in many cuisines across the globe. The leaves can be used either fresh or dry and make a great addition to pizzas, sauces, and roasted veggies.
Care: Trim or harvest regularly to promote the growth of new branches and result in a bushier plant. Oregano will naturally die back in the winter and grow again in the spring.
Our Selection
Origanum ×majoricum
Common name(s): hardy sweet marjoram
Description: perennial; a naturally occurring hybrid of true marjoram, (O. majorana) and wild marjoram/oregano (O. vulgare) which has inherited the sweetness of O. majorana and the increased hardiness of O. vulgare. Used widely as a perennial substitute for true marjoram in colder temperate gardens. Mostly sterile and self-contained in the garden. White flower clusters in summer.
Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 18 in.
Origanum vulgare subsp. gracile
Common name(s): Persian oregano, Turkish oregano, Russian oregano
Description: perennial; a subspecies native to Turkey, Iran and Central Asia. The most common form used in Persian cuisine and higher in essential oil (carvacrol) than any Origanum other than O. vulgare subsp. hirtum. One study found it to maintain high levels of essential oil under moderate and severe drought stress. White flower clusters in summer. An excellent culinary choice.
Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 3 ft.
Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum
Common name(s): Greek oregano, Italian oregano, true oregano
Description: perennial; defined by green bracts, white flowers and a high essential oil (carvacrol) content, this is the traditional oregano used in Southern Italian and Greek cuisine and is the general preference worldwide for culinary oregano. Spreads by runners and can become quite prolific in overly enriched soils. Can self-seed in optimal conditions.
Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 3 ft.
Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum 'Hot and Spicy'
Common name(s): spicy Greek oregano, hot and spicy oregano
Description: perennial; a sport of O. vulgare subsp. hirtum selected for its more potent flavor. Gray-green leaves and ultimately taller than O. vulgare subsp. hirtum. Leaves (dried or fresh) can sometimes leave a numb sensation on your tongue and are an excellent way to add an extra bite bite to salsas/sauces.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.
Origanum vulgare subsp. vulgare 'Compactum'
Common name(s): compact oregano, wild marjoram
Description: perennial; low-growing into a tidy, compact mound of pleasantly aromatic foliage. Milder in taste and a much more attractive plant than Greek oregano (subsp. hirtum). Showy flower clusters in summer are irresistable to bees and other pollinators. Rarely self-seeds.
Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 2 ft.
Origanum vulgare subsp. vulgare 'Variegata'
Common name(s): variegated wild marjoram, variegated oregano
Description: perennial; a small, compact mound of variegated foliage with cream-white margins. Much milder than Greek oregano (subsp. hirtum) but still used for culinary application. Overall, a much more attractive plant than Greek oregano as well. Sterile flowers won't set seed around the garden.
Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 15 in.