‘Joy of the mountains.’ That’s how Greeks translate the word ore-

gano. How appropriate.This hardy member of the mint family has

delighted diners from ancient times with the unique flavor that it

brings to fish, meat and sauces.

 

Herbalists through the millennia have also sung its praises as a

powerful anti-oxidant. There are native varieties of this herb growing

all around the world, and just about everywhere in Europe you can

find cultivars of the wild oregano (Oreganum vulgare). There’s a

Greek oregano, Italian oregano, Turkish oregano… and even Sicily

has its own oregano.

 

What’s important for gardeners to know is that with this huge range

to choose from, you’ll be able to find a variety that will perform well

in just about any location, and exposure in your central Texas land-

scape and garden.

Oregano can work, for example, as a colorful groundcover, an ever-

green, a flowering ornamental, and of course as part of  your herb

garden. On this side of the Atlantic, we have cultivars in Mexico,

Texas, and Cuba.

 

Mexican oregano (Poliomentha longiflora): a beautiful spring

through fall flowering evergreen shrub that grows to a height of 3

feet, and has become a favorite for gardeners in the Austin area. Its’

flowers are a pink to light lavender. This is extremely drought and

heat tolerant and the leaves have a hot and spicy flavor. This oregano

species is essential to authentic Mexican cooking.

 

Texas oregano (Lippia graveolens): this wild oregano grows in the

Trans-Pecos region of west Texas (west of Uvalde), in one of the

driest and hottest regions of the state. Its flavor is much stronger than

its European counterparts. Often it is substituted for the Mexican herb

epazote in regional dishes.

 

Cuban oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus): a frost-tender herb

with beautiful variegated foliage. Cuban oregano is the only form that

I know of  that thrives in the shade. The succulent, thick leaves of this

plant are strongly flavored and are commonly used as stuffing for

poultry and meat dishes. Besides growing in landscapes and gardens,

all these oreganos can easily be grown in containers and displayed on

patios, decks, and entryways.  Just remember to keep one close to the

kitchen.

                                  Happy Gardening Everyone!