Embrace the World of Oregano: An In-Depth Guide to Culinary and Ornamental Varieties

ByVictoria Arias
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So you think oregano is just a little green herb in a shaker, eh? Well, think again! Oregano is more than just a spice – it’s a culinary powerhouse that can transform your cooking and your garden.

I remember the day I discovered the magic of oregano. It was a ‘Hot and Spicy’ variety that I picked up at a local farmer’s market. Little did I know that it would kick-start my love for home cooking and lead me down a path of delicious meals and flavors.

From slow cooker stews to homemade spaghetti sauces, oregano quickly became my go-to herb. Its fragrant leaves and stems added a depth of flavor to my dishes that I had been sorely missing during my take-out days.

But oregano is not just about flavor – it’s about beauty and pollinators too. With over 20 different species and cultivars in the Origanum genus, there’s a world of oregano waiting to be explored.

Whether you’re looking for a culinary powerhouse like Greek oregano or an ornamental beauty like ‘Kent Beauty,’ there’s an oregano variety out there for you.

In this definitive guide, we’ll walk you through 11 of the best types of oregano for the home gardener. From the everyday ‘Common’ variety to the exotic ‘Wild Za’atar,’ we’ll cover it all.

So grab your gardening gloves and get ready to dive into the wonderful world of oregano!

11 of the Best Types of Oregano

  1. Common
  2. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8
  3. Fragrant leaves and purple-pink blooms

  4. Perfect for herb gardens or hanging baskets

  5. Dittany of Crete

  6. Native to mountainous regions
  7. Ground cover with minty leaves and purple flowers

  8. Hardy in Zones 7 to 10

  9. Drops of Jupiter

  10. Showy chartreuse leaves and pink flowers
  11. Best grown in full sun

  12. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9

  13. Golden

  14. Bright greenish-gold leaves
  15. Great ground cover and pollinator magnet

  16. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8

  17. Greek

  18. Pungent flavor perfect for Mediterranean cuisine
  19. Fast-growing and mounding plant

  20. Hardy in Zones 5 to 10

  21. Hot and Spicy

  22. A bit of a bite, perfect for Tex-Mex dishes
  23. Low-growing and bushy

  24. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9

  25. Italian

  26. Sweet flavor, ideal for Italian dishes
  27. Features white or pink flowers

  28. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9

  29. Kent Beauty

  30. Royal Horticultural Society Award winner
  31. Perfect for hanging baskets or window boxes

  32. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9

  33. Kirigami

  34. Tolerant of cool weather
  35. Attracts pollinators with light green leaves and pinkish-purple flowers

  36. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8

  37. Marjoram

    • Delicate piney flavor with citrusy zip
    • Compact and ideal for containers
    • Hardy in Zones 7 to 10

  38. Wild Za’atar

    • Intense flavor with oregano and peppermint notes
    • Great for seasoning pilafs and kabobs
    • Hardy in Zones 9 to 10

As you can see, there’s a whole world of oregano out there waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast or a garden lover, there’s an oregano variety that’s perfect for you.

So why not say yes to oregano and spice up your garden and your meals? Share your favorite oregano varieties or ask any questions you have in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out our other herb guides for more gardening inspiration!

Remember, oregano is not just a herb – it’s a lifestyle. So embrace the world of oregano and watch your garden and your taste buds come alive!

In conclusion, oregano is a versatile herb with a wide range of culinary and ornamental varieties to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a bold flavor or a splash of color in your garden, there’s an oregano variety that’s perfect for you. So why not spice up your life with oregano and see where this herbaceous journey takes you?

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