Oreganos in the Garden
A jaunt to local garden centers can create culinary confusion.  How????  Strolling past flats of oreganos may leave one bewildered and unsure of what to purchase.  The best guideline is to gently brush the plant and inhale.  If possible, sampling a leaf is even better, but care must be taken before nibbling.  Nursery plants may have been treated with something one would rather not consume without washing and, out of consideration for the nursery owner, don't sample indiscriminately.   Only taste an herb plant that you are fairly certain you wish to purchase.  Don't be like Peter Rabbit in Mr. MacGregor's Garden and leave damaged plants throughout the nursery.  Here are some hints about oregano plants you may encounter in Austin nurseries, notice the similarity in many of the names.

Sweet Marjoram    Origanum majorana
A darling little favorite for culinary use.  It is a charming plant whose flower spikes are sometimes described as being arranged in "knots".  Other oreganos have the spikes in more vertical arrangements.  There is some variation within plants, but most found locally have small, rounded, bluish green leaves that have a "felt like" feeling when touched.  The common name "sweet" says it all, the flavor of this plant is mild, no spiciness or bitterness.  Unfortunately, sweet marjoram is not reliable hardy in Austin so grow it as a summer annual or in a container to be brought in during our coldest weather.

Hardy Marjoram    Origanum xmajoricum
This perennial is an hardy alternative to sweet marjoram.  Reportedly surviving winters as far north as zone 7, this 18 inch plant will be attractive in Austin gardens in both summer and winter.  The leaves are larger, wider and more pointed than sweet marjoram and the taste is like marjoram, but with a slight spiciness to it.  The flowers of this hybrid between O. majorana and O. vulgare are arranged in the vertical spikes most common to the oreganos.

Sicilian Oregano    Origanum xmajoricum
This  is another oregano form that has been in the Austin markets for only a few years.  Although sometimes found labeled as O. xmajorana, it is believed to be another selection of O. xmajoricum.    It too, has a bit of marjoram taste, but that is followed by a sharp, spicy to almost bitter aftertaste.  Growing to about 18 inches tall it is hardy and makes an attractive, evergreen plant in Austin gardens.

Winter Blooms
Austin, Texas has had a true winter this year.  An ice storm attacked branches and utility lines in December.  Temperatures are below average and the "s word" (snow) has even been mentioned in weather reports, although none has appeared in the central part of the city.  Despite the winter weather, flowers are popping up.  Crocus blossoms appeared in early January and paper white narcissus have been blooming in yards for over a month.  Austin gardeners need to use some caution when viewing these signs of spring.  On a warm sunny day it can be tempting to start pruning roses and other perennials, but, please wait until mid February.  A pruning now, followed by warm weather may stimulate new growth, then ZAP, our fickle weather changes and a hard freeze comes and damages your plants.  You can still garden on those sunny days, though.  Continue to set out pansy, calendula and snapdragon plants and sow lettuce seeds.  You can plant cool weather herbs, too.  Cilantro, parsley, and fennel will thrive in our low temperatures.  If you have nasturtiums be sure and cover them during freezes.  The spun fiber covers available in nurseries are fantastic - rain and sun light can pass through them so they can be left covering the plants for extended periods of time.  (Note that crops that require pollination will need to have the covers removed when in bloom.)  Indoors, start seeds of peppers, tomatoes and perennials.