real greek oregano ?

[mickeymoose]

Hi All.
Many years ago on my travels I brought back some smuggled cuttings of greek oregano oreganum heracleoticum lost over the years so I am trying to obtain a plant or cutting but have been fobbed off with the wild oregano or marjoram
None of them are as flavoursome or tall
Does anyone. have any contacts who can suppy thanks

[Thelma Sanders]

Oregano Heracleoticum had it's name changed it is Origanum vulgare ssp hirtum (hairy) - I first grew it when I moved back from Greece. It is the same as the 'rígani' I grew and used on Zakynthos.

I've moved again, since then, so can't help with seed or cuttings - but the seeds are available on-line.

[veggiechicken]

I remember the smell of the mountain herbs and buying bags of dried herbs from the markets to bring home. Can't help with that oregano, sorry, but Chiltern seeds sell a mixture that may include it. https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item..._greek_oregano


We used to holiday in Greece every year- usually the islands and Skopelos was one of our favourites and I remember it fondly.
Every day we would walk past a lady, sitting outside her front door on a battered wooden chair. Usually she would be preparing vegetables, shelling beans or peeling potatoes. I would practice my Greek on her and she would humour me by pretending that I was word perfect. One day, she gave me some sprigs of mint, from one of the many pots and painted tins that surrounded her doorway, and I took them back to our apartment and put them in water. By the time we left, they had rooted and I couldn't leave them behind, so they came back to Wales and are still growing outside my kitchen door, just as they did for the lovely lady on Skopelos.
Plants with memories are the best sort to grow.
I hope you find your Oregano.

[mickeymoose]

Thanks for the informative comments and sharing memories.
No wonder there is a lot of confusion either way I have tried most available in the. U k
I feel a holiday planning session coming on

[Bren In Pots]

Is this the one you're after ? says its Oregano Greek Seeds Origanum vulgare

Oregano Greek Seeds from Mr Fothergill's Seeds and Plants

[mickeymoose]

No its. Origanum vulgaris hirtum which is the greek one ( with hairy leaves) but thanks anyway fornthe link

[veggiechicken]

Victoriana have plants https://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/...Greek_Oregano/

Seeds at https://beehappyplants.co.uk/bee-pla...ulgare-hirtum/

[B Porcupine]

Hi,

I got seeds from Seedaholic https://www.seedaholic.com/oregano-g...o-organic.html. This includes a lot of info as well, explaining the different oregano types. Good luck!

[veggiechicken]

Thanks BP - I shouldn't have looked - just seen Cardamom seeds for sale!

[Thelma Sanders]

Hi,

I got seeds from Seedaholic https://www.seedaholic.com/oregano-g...o-organic.html. This includes a lot of info as well, explaining the different oregano types. Good luck!

The trouble there is that their photo shows pink flowers, when the Greek one usually has white flowers. I know you probably don't read Greek (I don't much, really, either, it's very difficult ) but there's a picture here which shows it correctly
kentromeletisarxaiasthourias

Some on ebay may be worth a try here

[veggiechicken]

I have a herb that looks similar - not sure whether its marjoram or oregano but it has white flowers. These were taken in August. Its not in a sunny spot so its sprawling rather than upright. Could it be "hirta"?

[mickeymoose]

Thanks for the contacts I will sort them out very soon mission nearly complete

[Thelma Sanders]

I have a herb that looks similar - not sure whether its marjoram or oregano but it has white flowers. These were taken in August. Its not in a sunny spot so its sprawling rather than upright. Could it be "hirta"?

If it is seems a bit hairy, compared to Marjoram (the pink flowered mild one) very strongly flavoured (like it numbs the end of your tongue!) then it probably is hirtum

[veggiechicken]

Its very different to the other marjorams and always looks "grey" rather than green. I'll go and have a nibble.

[veggiechicken]

More photos!
New shoots & old leaves (hairy) and flowers.




The other marjoram!



They taste quite different - the ?hirta is much stronger in taste and aroma and honestly did remind of walking in Greece.

I'll look for some rooted cuttings and seed heads and share them with you, Mickey & Thelma.