Native Bulbs

Vegetable Seeds

Back To
Previous Page

 Wild Marjoram
  Origanum vulgare

Distribution:  A native British wild flower, which is fairly common throughout Britain.
Habitat:  It grows on dry grassland, hedgerows and on chalky soils.
Description: A medium perennial with stems of pink flowers from August to September. The leaves are aromatic. 
Uses:  Wild Marjoram has been used as a potherb for cooking, although other cultivated species of Origanum are more commonly used these days. Traditionally, the plant was used to make herbal sachets and sweet-smelling powders.  A deep purple dye produced from it was once used to dye wool.  A juice produced from it was used to rub into furniture to make it fragrant.
Wildlife:  The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies.  It is the food plant of the Sub-Angled Moth and the Small Copper.  

Sowing Instructions for Seeds:  Sow seed in late spring to early summer in a cold frame. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant them out in late summer for flowering the following year.