• Fabulous bee herb
• Mat forming
• Aromatic
• Easy to maintain

The origanum family is large and native to the Mediterranean, Europe and Asia and valued for their culinary, fragrant and medicinal properties. The flavour of any type is due to the amount of volatile oil and chemical compounds like carvacrol (anti-fungal and antibacterial) the plant contains. Loved by pollinating insects the flowers are always a-buzz in the summer with bees. Marjoram tends to gradually spread into a clump, is an easy herb to grow and this variety is a great culinary herb.

Plant Care

• Height: 30-60cm
• Type: Hardy
• Aspect: Sun
• Soil: Any/alkaline
• Flower colour: Pink
• Flowering period: July – September

Marjorams are easy to grow (except sweet marjoram) either in a container or the ground. They are happy in most soil types but prefer a sunny spot and although they will manage some shade it may compromise flavour slightly. They can be left to get on with it for most of the year and will just need a haircut in late summer once the flowers have died, which will leave a good clump of leaves over winter. Marjoram can be divided in autumnto make new patches elsewhere in the garden or to give to friends and neighbours.

Usage

This aromatic Mediterranean herb has been used for cooking and medicine for many centuries. The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw and cooked and are an excellent addition to creamy pasta dishes, pizza topping, salads and dressings and soups and stews in the final moments of cooking. It can be cut on a warm summers day when it has the most volatile oils and flavour, dried and stored in an airtight container for winter use.
This warming aromatic herb helps digestion and is an expectorant antiseptic for coughs. The flowers of marjoram and oregano are a magnet for bees in the summer.