Oryganum majorana

Marjoram is a perennial with beautiful flowers and attractive fall foliage. Rich in nutritional properties and with an excellent flavour, this cultivar has darker flowers and purple leaves from late summer.

Since the stems take root where they touch the ground, the plant is a ground cover. When grown in hanging or raised pots, the stems form a cascade of attractive grey-green foliage. Attracts pollinating insects useful to the garden.
In ancient times it was considered a gift from Aphrodite and a symbol of happiness.

Classification
Common name: Marjoram, sweet marjorum,wild marjoram
Genus and species: Oryganum majorana
Cultivars: -
Family: Lamiaceae.

Characteristics
Description of flowers: The flowers are small, less than 3 mm long and arranged in round panicles.
Flower color: Pink-lilac.
Flowering period: Summer to early autumn.
Leaves: The leaves are oval, glaucous green, with a straight dark green margin, semi-evergreen, soft and hairy. They turn purple and violet in autumn.
Scent: The leaves smell of pepper, the flowers smell more sweetly, in a much less pungent way.
Dimensions: Height up to 60 cm.

Cultivation
Exposure: Full sun, light shade.
Soil: Well drained.
Irrigation: Poor.
Frost resistance: USDA 7.

Care
Pruning: It loses part of the aerial part depending on the intensity of the frost, so at the beginning of winter or early spring, the dry parts can be cut; remove the faded stems if you want the plant not to be invasive.
Propagation: By division at the end of winter; from cuttings in late spring/summer. By seed, in late spring or summer.

Notes of interest
Use in the kitchen: Leaves and flowers can flavor many dishes to taste. Pizza, fish, meat, cheese, excellent in fillings and for flavoring vegetables (especially legumes)...
Herbal properties: Contains antioxidants, iron, minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C (consumed fresh has high levels of vitamin C: 86% of the RDA per 100 g), vitamin A and vitamin K.