Oregano & Marjoram

For the most part these are natives of the Mediterranean region. They have adapted to many countries, however, and a native form can now be found in many regions of the world, even if under different common names. For example, Origanum vulgare growing wild in Britain is called wild marjoram (the scent of the leaf is aromatic but not strong, the flowers are pale pink); while in Mediterranean countries wild Origanum vulgare is known as oregano (the leaf is green, slightly hairy and very aromatic, the flowers are similar to those found growing wild in Britain).

Oregano is derived from the Greek 'oros' meaning mountain and 'ganos' meaning joy and beauty. It therefore translates literally as 'joy of the mountain'. In Greece it is woven into the crown worn by bridal couples.

According to Greek mythology, the King of Cyprus had a servant called Amarakos, who dropped ajar of perfume and fainted in terror. As his punishment the gods changed him into oregano, after which, if it was found growing on a burial tomb, all was believed well with the dead. Venus was the first to grow the herb in her garden.

Aristotle reported that tortoises, after swallowing a snake, would immediately eat oregano td prevent death, which gave rise to the belief that it was an antidote to poison.

The Greeks and Romans used it not only as scent after taking a bath and as massage oil, but also as a disinfectant and preservative. More than likely they were responsible for the spread of this plant across Europe, where it became known as marjoram. The New Englanders took it to North America, where there arose a further confusion of nomenclature Until the 1940s, common marjoram was called wild marjoram in America, but is now known as oregano. In certain parts of Mexico and the southern states of America, oregano is the colloquial name for a totally unrelated plant with a similar flavor.

Sweet marjoram, which originates from North Africa, was introduced into Europe in the 16th century and was incorporated in nosegays to ward off the plague and other pestilence.

Species

Origanum amanum

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 15-20cm (6-8in). Open, funnel-shaped, pale pink or white flowers borne above small heart-shaped, aromatic, pale green leaves. Makes a good alpine house plant. Dislikes a damp atmosphere.

Origanum x applet (heraceleoticum)

Winter Marjoram

Half-hardy perennial. Ht 23cm (9in), spread 30cm (12in). Small pink flowers. Very small aromatic leaves which, in the light conditions, are available all year round. Good to grow in a container.

Origanum dictamnus

Ditany of Crete

Hardy perennial. Ht 12- 15cm (5-6in), spread 40cm (16in). Prostrate habit, purplish pink flowers that appear in hop-like clusters in summer. The leaves are white and woolly and grow on arching stems. Pretty little plain, quite unlike the other origanums in appearance. Tea made from the leaves is considered a panacea in Crete.

Origanum 'Kent Beauty'

Hardy perennial. Ht 15- 20cm (6-8in), spread 30cm (12in). Whorls of tubular pale pink flowers with darker bracts appear in summer on short spikes. Round, oval and aromatic leaves on trailing stems, which give the plant its prostrate habit and make it suitable for a wall or ledge. Decorative more than culinary.

Origanum laevigatum

Hardy perennial. Ht 23- 30cm (9-12in), spread 20cm (Sin). Summer profusion of tiny, tubular, cerise/pink/ mauve flowers, surrounded by red/purple bracts. Aromatic, dark green leaves, which form a mat in winter. Decorative more than culinary.

Origanum laevigatum 'Herrenhausen'

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 30cm (12in). Pink/ mauve flowers which develop from deep purple buds in summer. Dark green, aromatic, slightly hairy leaves, with a pink tinge underneath. Decorative, and culinary when no other is available.

Origanum majorana (Origanum hortensis)

Sweet Marjoram

Also known as Knotted Marjoram or Knot Marjoram Half-hardy perennial. Grown as an annual in cool climates. Ht and spread 30cm (12in). Tiny white flowers in a knot. Round pale green leaves, highly aromatic. This is the best variety for flavor. Use in culinary recipes that state marjoram. The leaf is also good for drying, retaining a lot of its scent and flavor.

Origanum onites

Pot Marjoram

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 45cm (18in). Pink/ purple flowers in summer. Green aromatic leaves that form a mat in winter. Good grower with a nice flavor. Difficult to obtain the true seed; grows easily from cuttings, however.

Origanum rotundifolium

Hardy perennial. Ht 23-30cm (9-12in), spread 30cm (12in). Prostrate habit. The pale pink, pendant, funnel-shaped flowers appear in summer in whorls surrounded by yellow/green bracts. Leaves are small, round, mid-green, and aromatic. Decorative more than culinary.

Origanum vulgare

Oregano

Also known as Wild Marjoram Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 45cm (18in). Clusters of tiny tubular mauve flowers in summer. Dark green, aromatic, slightly hairy leaves, which form a mat in winter. When grown in its native Mediterranean, it has a very pungent flavor, which bears little resemblance to that obtained in the cooler countries. When cultivated in the garden it becomes similar to pot marjoram.

Origanum vulgare ssp hirtum.

Greek Oregano

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 45cm (18in). Clusters of tiny tubular white flowers in summer. Grey/green hairy leaves, which are very aromatic and excellent to cook with.

Origanum vulgare 'Aureum'

Golden Marjoram

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 45cm (18in). Clusters of tiny tubular mauve/pink flowers in summer. Golden, aromatic, slightly hairy leaves, which form a mat in winter. The leaves have a warm aromatic flavor when used in cooking; combines well with vegetables.

Origanum vulgare 'Aureum Crispum'

Golden Curly Marjoram

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 45cm (18in). Clusters of tiny tubular mauve/pink/ white flowers in summer. Leaves, small, golden, crinkled, aromatic and slightly hair)', which form a mat in winter. The leaves have a slightly milder savory flavor (sweeter and spicy) that combines well with vegetable dishes.

Origanum vulgare 'Compacturn'

Compact Marjoram.

Hardy perennial. Ht 15cm (6in) spread 30cm (12in). Lovely large pink flowers. Smallish green aromatic leaves, which form a mat in winter, have a deliciously warm flavor and combine well with lots of culinary dishes.

Origanum vulgare 'Gold Tip'

Gold Tipped Marjoram

Also known as Gold Splash Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 30cm (12in). Small pink flowers in summer. The aromatic leaves are green and yellow variegated. Choose the garden site carefully: shade prevents the variegation. The leaves have a mild savory flavor.

Origanum vulgare 'Nanum'

Dwarf Marjoram

Hardy perennial. Ht 10cm (4in), spread 15cm (6in). White/pink flowers in summer. Tiny green aromatic leaves. It is a lovely, compact, neat little bush, great in containers and at the front of an herb garden. Good in culinary dishes.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

The following can be grown from seed: Origanum vulgare, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare ssp hirtum. The seed is very fine, so sow in spring into prepared seed or plug trays. Use the cardboard trick. Leave uncovered and give a bottom heat of 15°C (60°F). Germination can be erratic or 100 per cent successful. Watering is critical when the seedlings are voting; keep the compost on the dry side. As the seed is so fine thin before pricking out to allow the plants to grow. When large enough, either pot on, using the bark, grit, peat mix of compost, or if the soil is warm enough and you have grown them in plugs, plant into the prepared garden

Cuttings

Apart from the 3 species mentioned above, the remainder can only be propagated successfully by cuttings or division.

Softwood cuttings can be taken from the new growing tips of all the named varieties in spring. Use the bark, grit mix of compost.

Division

A number of varieties form a mat during the winter. These lend themselves to division. In spring, or after flowering, dig up a whole clump and pull sections gently away. Each will come away with its own root system. Replant as wanted.

Pests and Diseases

Apart from occasional frost damage, marjoram and oreganos, being aromatic, is mostly pest free.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Divide established plants. Take softwood cuttings.

Summer: Trim after flowering to prevent plants becoming straggly. Divide established plants in late summer.

Autumn: Before they die down for winter, cut back the year's growth to within 6cm (2½ in) of the soil.

Winter: Protect pot grown plants and tender varieties.

Garden Cultivation

Sweet marjoram and winter marjoram need a sunny garden site and a well-drained, dry, preferably chalk, soil. Otherwise plant them in containers. All the rest are hardy and adaptable, and will tolerate most soils as long as they are not waterlogged in winter. Plant gold varieties in some shade to prevent the leaves from scorching. For the majority, a good planting distance is 25cm (l0in), closer if being used as an edging plant.

Harvest

Leaves

Pick leaves whenever available for use fresh. They can be dried or frozen, or be used to make oil or vinegar.

Flowers

The flowers can be dried just as they open for dried flower arrangements.

Container growing

The Origanum species look great in containers. Use the bark, grit, peat mix of compost. Make sure that they are not over-watered and that the gold and variegated forms get some shade at midday. Cut back after flowering and give them a liquid fertilizer feed.

Culinary

Marjoram and oregano aid the digestion, and act as an antiseptic and as a preservative.

They are among the main ingredients of bouquet garni, and combine well with pizza, meat and tomato dishes, vegetables and milk-based desserts.

Red Mullet with Tomatoes and Oregano

Serves 4-6

4-6 red mullet, cleaned

3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced

1 clove garlic, chopped 500g (lib) tomatoes, peeled and chopped

1 green or red pepper, seeded and diced

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or V2 teaspoon dried oregano

Freshly milled salt and pepper Oil for baking or shallow frying

Rinse the fish in cold water and drain on kitchen paper. Heat the olive oil in a pan and cook the onion and garlic slowly until golden brown; add the tomatoes, pepper, sugar and oregano, and a little salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, and then simmer for 20 minutes until thickened. Bake or fry the fish. Brush I them with oil, place in an   I oiled oven proof dish and cook at a moderately hot temperature, 190°C (375°F, Gas Mark 5) for 7-8 minutes. Serve with the sauce.

Medicinal

This plant is one of the best antiseptics owing to its high 1 Thymol content. Marjoram tea helps ease bad colds, has a tranquillizing effect on nerves, and I helps settle upset stomachs. I It also helps to prevent sea sickness. For temporary relief of toothache, chew the leaf or rub a drop of essential oil on the gums. A few drops of essential oil on the pillow will help you sleep.

Other uses

Make an infusion and add to i the bath water to aid relaxation.