With this gold splashes on the leaves, this variety looks striking in spring. Like most marjoram’s it spreads into a satisfying clump, is a great culinary herb and alive with bees in the summer when in flower. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Fabulous bee herb
- Mat forming
- Aromatic
- Pretty foliage
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. They are loved by pollinating insects and 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 with yellow splashes on the leaves won’t disappoint.
Plant Care
- Height: 30-60cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Pink
- Flowering period: July - September
Marjoram’s 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 autumn to 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 summer’s 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.