July 17, 2013

Of Bees and Oregano




Sometimes you think something is thriving but it really isn't.  And you don't know that until you try it someplace else.  This oregano has been growing in the back garden for years.  It seems happy enough but never gives more than a smattering of blooms. 

While cutting it back last year I scooped up some roots and buried them in the front garden.  Now I know what happy oregano really looks like.  There are blooms everywhere and most importantly and most happily, there are dozens of bees.  Now that just makes me smile. 

If you have a bunch of oregano try this recipe.  It's a keeper. 

21 comments:

  1. The bees really do like the herb blooms! I have a very large oregano which is taking over the herb bed but the bees are loving it right now!

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  2. What a sweet photo. I have oregano planted in my herb garden. It has grown like crazy, but no blooms. Do you know what variety you have? I would love to have some blooming for the bees.

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    1. Oh, Steph, I wish I knew the variety but no, I don't. The front bed its growing in gets sun from morning through to about 3:30. Protected by the house from the worst of the afternoon sun. You're welcome to a clump of this if you'd like. I have plenty! Next time you're in Austin, give me a shout!

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  3. Wonderful!!! I'm glad you have both thriving successfully!:)

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  4. It's great to see a plant smothered in bees! That recipe looks great - I'll give it a try this weekend. Wishing your off-shoot of Oregano many years of happiness in its new home!

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  5. I've missed you, dear friend... so nice to see a post from you. I'm smiling, too!

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  6. I have come to think that gardening is all about location, location, location. It is amazing what the right spot will do for a plant.

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  7. Happy bee! My herbs are in pots but what I wouldn't give to have a dedicated herb bed. They like their spot though, so I don't move them much. They've never done particularly well directly in the ground. Lucky you :)

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  8. The bunch of oregano I have in back that was going crazy for several years is suddenly looking like it might just call it quits. No idea why - off to do research to see if it is one of those plants that has a limited lifespan. Bottom line? I want to see blooms with bees just like yours in my yard (I can practically smell the sweetness in that shot)! (aaaand make some of that chimichurri - so delicious looking).

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  9. Phew! Had to weigh back in - apparently oregano has a life span of 5-6 years so my years old large patch is simply following its inner clock. Nothing like having something that was thriving start punking out on you to make you wonder what color your thumb is. Off to put oregano on this Fall's "buy it" list...

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  10. Nice photo! We grow oregano and other herbs too - thanks for the recipe. It's too hot to cook inside (no AC) so we are using the barbecue a lot.

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  11. Hi Cat! One thing I've learned about Oregano (at least the Greek Oregano, which is the only cold-hardy one for my climate): not all plants are equal. Some taste like oregano, some taste like nothing (or lawn grass), and others are super-spicy. I've got a few patches of the "tastes like grass" stuff and it's a waste of space except for the bee attraction.

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    1. Hmm, that's interesting Alan. I guess I'm lucky that mine tastes good!

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  12. Mine just seems to show it all over and it makes me happy to smell it...makes my bees happy too.

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  13. Wonderful photo! Those tiny blooms look like a fairy bouquet!

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  14. Great photo - what type of post processing do you do? I'd love to see a "straight from the camera" and "finalized" photo comparison.

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  15. Ah, the added benefit of attracting plentiful pollinators! That's a beautiful photo, Cat. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)

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  16. What a great feeling when you see a plant really happy in the spot you've chosen. I've had this happen with a couple trees and it just thrills me to see them grow so well.

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  17. Yummmmm will totally try that- thanks!!!!!!!

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  18. I love oregano and so do the pollinators. It must taste like candy. I have a bunch of it that they cluster around. :o)

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  19. What a happy picture! And it always amazes me how plants know their right spot. Once oregano is truly happy, it's one of my favorites ever. Maybe I'm a bee!

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