CRUD! Should I not have planted the Greek Oregano?

[reelretrogrrl]

...or is it even greek oregano?

Hello! New poster here!

So today the boy and I planted the herb portion of our garden. We planted two kinds of basil, italian parsley and greek oregano. We were just going to plant regular oregano but we saw the greek stuff at the nursery and had to buy it (hes greek, it was cute... kinda had to be there heh...)
So I just looked up greek oregano and am not getting happy reports! It seems it might not actually be greek oregano. It may in fact be Wild Marjoram which according to the articles is invasive and doesnt taste good. Apparently some nurseries will sell it falsely as Greek Oregano. Ive been looking at pictures and am not seeing what we seem to have anywhere! Greek oregano is supposed to be kind of fuzzy? This isnt. It seems that its not a creeping plant? This is. AHH!
Should I dig it up and put it in a container? Should I leave it be?
Any suggestions would be great!

[bluelacedredhead]

Hi,
Any chance you can get a pic of the plant you bought and post it here to help with identification?
Or another suggestion would be to phone the nursery where you bought the plants and ask them about it? If they have both oregano's then surely they should be able to answers your questions about it.
Let us know what they have to say. ;)

[JackiMac]

Have you tasted the organo? I'd first taste it but I would dig it up and pot it until you feel comfortable and know what it is. That has happened to me so now I take a tiny pinch before I buy any herb...feel the plant - leaves and stem - read the info on the tag. I know, that doesn't help much now that it is bought but for future reference.... ;)
Do call the nursery - if they can't help you with information then take it back. If they are reputable they will have no problems with the return.
My oregano is a bit fuzzy and it kind of sprawls rather than creeps. Not a tall grower like Sage or Basil but also not a creeper like Thyme...
Good luck and do keep us updated :)

[flowerpower]

I have an ornamental oregano. It is not very fuzzy. It sprawls and only gets about 18 in tall. It gets nice pink flowers in the fall which are easy to dry. And the bees love it.

If you are unhappy with the plant, dig it up and put it back in its original container. Bring it back to the nursery and tell them it is not marked right and you would like to exchange it. You shouldn't have a problem. When you want herbs for cooking, always snatch a leaf and crush it first.

[Amaranthos]

I feel your pain -- once I planted "Russian" tarragon, only to find out that that particlular species was an inferior pretender that got invasive to boot!!

That'll teach us to act on plant impulse buys!! or not. :D