Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum – Greek oregano

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum – Greek oregano

This culinary herb is one of our most useful supporting flowers. From mid summer it produces mounds of fragrant white and blush pink flowers, which are mobbed by bees and butterflies. The harvest period goes on into late summer when it produces fluffy, green seed heads. It is a first-year flowering perennial which is most productive in the second year. Unsurprisingly given its name it likes it hot and dry.

Height: 45cm

Spacing: 30cm apart

Annual care: Cut back in early spring. Sow annually to ensure the continuity of productive plants.

When to harvest: It can be picked when in bud, full flower and as seed heads.

Conditioning and vase life: 7-10 days.

Uses: A staple for bouquet work, the clusters of small flowers and leaves form a scented backdrop for other flowers with more defined form and colour.

Propagation: By seed in spring or autumn.