It grows just 6 to 8 inches tall with a creeping, spreading growth habit. This herbaceous perennial has small, dark green leaves and delicate white flowers. Greek oregano grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8.
Is Greek oregano invasive?
Greek Oregano is an invasive plant that will quickly spread throughout your garden so you will have to cut it back often or plant it in a container to keep it under control. It requires well drained soil, at least 6 hours of sun, and be careful not to overwater as too much moisture can be destructive.
What is different about Greek oregano?
Greek oregano tends to be the most savory and earthy, while Italian is milder and Turkish is more pungent. Used fresh or dry, Mediterranean oregano is the choice for dishes from this region, tomato sauces, pizzas, grilled meats, and other dishes with strong flavors.
Is oregano a creeper?
Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’
Golden oregano is a robust creeper with tiny, rounded leaves 1/2 to 1 inch wide. Small, pink or lavender to purple flowers stand out above the foliage in early to late summer. Noteworthy CharacteristicsHolds its golden hue best in colder weather.
How does Greek oregano grow?
It grows about two feet tall and wide, with soft hairy leaves. White fragrant flowers bloom from midsummer to fall, attracting bees and butterflies. A vigorous grower, this plant spreads naturally via underground runners – so well, in fact, that it can even be used as a ground cover!
How do you keep oregano from spreading?
Frequent pinching back helps to keep plants bushy and full, and it delays flowering. Some strains are grown for their pretty pink flowers. Oregano often spreads in hospitable spots.
Will oregano take over my garden?
Mint, oregano, pennyroyal and even thyme will spread through underground runners and can quickly take over the garden. They can be hard to remove as small bits of roots left behind can grow into full plants.
Is Greek oregano the same as oregano?
What is Greek Oregano? Greek Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is the herb commonly thought of in the US as Mediterranean oregano or just oregano. It is part of the mint family Lamiaceae and other aromatic herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, and lavender.
What can I do with Greek oregano?
Cooking With Greek Oregano
In Greek cooking, oregano is used in tomato sauces, with meats, fish, cheese, egg dishes, salads, and cheeses and with vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans. Oregano is an essential ingredient of countless Mediterranean recipes.
Does oregano grow upwards?
You can pluck oregano leaf by leaf and use the fresh leaves any way you’d like, from throwing leaves on grilled pizza, adding them to a light pasta dish with drizzled olive oil, or whipping up a Caprese salad. Start with the oldest leaves — those are the ones at the bottom of the plant — and work upwards.
Does oregano reseed itself?
Because oregano is a self-seeding perennial, the plants you grow will come back year after year without you having to put any work forward. However, there are ways to save the seeds if you want to start new plants.
Is oregano a good ground cover?
Oregano forms a walkable ground cover in areas that don’t get heavy traffic, such as in minor pathways and under fruit trees where pruning and harvesting only occur a few times per year. In fact, it makes a great living mulch in perennial gardens. Here are more reasons to grow this herb.
Does oregano plant spread?
Oregano spreads easily; in late spring, cut it back to one-third of its size in order to make the plant bushier. In milder climates (zone 8 and southward), oregano is evergreen. In zone 7 and northward, protect plants with mulch through the winter, or cover them with a cold frame.
How deep are Greek oregano roots?
14"
How –
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| Germination | 60 – 70 F |
| Measurements | |
| Planting Depth | 1/4″ |
| Root Depth | 14″+ |
How hardy is Greek oregano?
Greek oregano is also a hardy herb, capable of handling drought, harsh wind, and poor soil. In fact, over-caring for it with too much water or humidity can lead to root rot. This plant is perennial to climate zones 5 through 9, so it can tolerate warmer temperatures and prefers full sun if you can give it that.
Is Creeping oregano invasive?
Other herbs that become invasive through underground runners include oregano, pennyroyal, and even the easy-going thyme can run amok. Plants that bloom are determined to reproduce themselves, and blooming herbs are no exception.
How far does oregano spread?
about 18 inches
Plant 8 to 10 inches apart. The plants will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and spread about 18 inches.
Will oregano grow back after cutting?
As a perennial plant, oregano grows back each year without needing to be replanted. To maximize its growth each year, it is wise to prune oregano plants near the end of the harvest season and before the first frost. Pruning throughout the summer can also result in fuller growth and a more plentiful harvest.
What bugs does oregano repel?
Here is a list of some herbs and which type of bugs they deter:
- Basil – Flies, Mosquitos, Thrips.
- Catnip – Mosquitos.
- Chives – ants, aphids, fleas, nematodes.
- Mint – Cabbage Moths, flies, flees, ants.
- Oregano – Mosquitos (can you tell I really don’t like this pest?), Cucumber beetle, Cabbage butterfly.
What are the most invasive herbs?
Invasive Herbs
- Butterbur. (Petasites hybridus)
- Garlic Mustard. (Alliaria petiolata)
- Giant Hogweed. (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
- Himalayan Balsam. (Impatiens glandulifera)
- Japanese Chaff Flower. (Achyranthes japonica)
- Purple Loosestrife. (Lythrum salicaria)
- Spotted Knapweed. (Centaurea stoebe)
- Wild Parsnip. (Pastinaca sativa)
Does oregano come back every year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.