Greek Oregano Plant Cover: Growing Oregano Groundcover In Gardens

If you want a groundcover that cares for itself, looks lovely, blooms, attracts insects, helps prevent weeds, thrives in sunny and dry locations, and conserves moisture then look no further than an oregano groundcover. As an added bonus, groundcover oregano smells delightful when crushed or walked on.

Using Greek oregano as groundcover is a lazy gardener's quick and easy way of covering a trouble spot in the landscape.

Spreading Greek Oregano

Do you want to smell Greek or Italian food every time you walk a certain area of the garden? A Greek oregano plant cover will provide that unique experience and transport you to some of the most romantic cities in the world aromatically. Spreading Greek oregano is hardy and needs little care once established. The herb may be just the tough groundcover you have been seeking.

Greek oregano sprawls beautifully in hot, sunny locations. It is even drought tolerant upon establishment. The plant has dainty leaves and sends out numerous stems which can be kept sheared or mown to 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) tall, although the plant can get up to 24 inches (61 cm.) without intervention.

The stems are semi-woody, and the small leaves are green and lightly fuzzy. If left to its own devices, the plant will send up tall flower shoots with purple blooms that are very attractive to bees. The root system is sprawling and wide ranging.

Using Greek Oregano as Groundcover

Prepare a bed by tilling deeply and removing rocks and other debris. If soil does not drain well, add a liberal amount of sand until it is loose. Incorporate bone meal and powdered phosphate at a ratio of 2:1. Make sure the site is nearly to fully sunny all day.

You can direct sow outdoors in summer by sprinkling seed on the surface of the soil and dusting sand over lightly. For established plants, plant them at the same depth as the nursery pots and water in well. After a couple of weeks, only water when the soil feels dry several inches (8 cm.) down.

Establishing Oregano Groundcover

Since the herb is naturally tall, there are steps to take to create groundcover oregano. When the plants are quite young, begin pinching them back to within 2 inches (5 cm.) from the ground. This will force the plant to spread outward rather than upward.

Overtime, plants will meld together into a Greek oregano groundcover. To maintain this water infrequently and shear off the vertical growth once or twice during the growing season. You can even mow it with the setting on the highest.

Once established, you only need to turn your attention to your Greek oregano a few times a year.