Plant perennial oregano in permanent spots in the garden, border or in a large pot. Oregano is attractive in

Flower beds. The sprigs with their small, rounded leaves and miniature blossoms, make an attractive garnish A pleasant, minty-smelling herb for Italian recipes, chili, sauces and meat loaf. Zones 6 – 9, like full sun. Height 2 feet. Like well drained, average soil Herbaceous, somewhat woody-based. Flowers July to September, tubular, rose-purple, rarely white blossoms in broad terminal clusters. Plant in clumps 1 foot apart. Prune regularly for best shape. Since seedlings will not always produce the same flavor as the original plants, take cuttings or divide roots in spring or early fall for best results. Lightly mulch each spring with organic compost or well-rotted manure. Usually free from pests sand diseases. Snip fresh springs as needed all summer, cut whole plant in June and again in late August, hang foliage in bunches to dry. Wild oregano is a sprawler and usually doesn’t have much of the signature oregano flavor; it does, however, produce bountiful flowers for dried arrangements. Oregano has many different varieties and flavors; it grows wild on the hillsides in Greece where it is used in abidance. It is popular in Mexican dishes and Italian cooking. It is paired with basil in tomato and pasta meals. It is best know as the "pizza herb" in the United States. The fresh leaves are stripped from the stem and chopped or snipped.

Oregano spreads rapidly. Stems that are allowed on lie on the soil for long will take root and grow new plants. Stems that grow too long become woody with age. The don’t always grow straight, so keep them cut. After several cuttings, new growth will come from the crown of the plant. At this time, cut off all the old woody stems as close as possible to the new growth. This will give you all fresh growth and make bunching easier. Oregano does not need frequent fertilizing. During the spring and summer, when growth is rapid, the plants will benefit from fertilizing every two weeks. Most oregano varieties will survive the coldest winters with good protection. Before the first frost, cut back all the plants to grown level. Mark the plant so you will recognize it in spring. After three hard frosts, mulch the plants with a thick covering of straw or hay. You may want to protect the rosettes of leaves at ground level with a small wooden box to keep the mulch from lying directly on the plant. Gradually pull the mulch off the plants as the weather begins to warm in the spring.