Common Oregano is a staple in many Italian dishes. It is excellent in tomato sauces and vegetable dishes. Compared to Greek Oregano, Common Oregano has a milder flavor. The leaves are most strongly flavored when dried, not fresh. Common Oregano has a useful culinary life of four or five years. Common Oregano is an important herb when it comes to cooking. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. The pretty pink-lavender flowers appear from midsummer to fall. Plant this beloved perennial herb in any spot and enjoy its robust flavor for years to come. Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare Life Cycle: Perennial Light Requirement: Full Sun Planting Season: Spring Features: Heirloom, Culinary, Medicinal, Deer Resistant, Container Garden Plant Height: 10-24 inches Days to Maturity: 80 Days Plant Spacing: 8-10 inches Planting Depth: 1/8 inch Sowing Method: Start Indoors, Direct Sow Cold Stratification: Yes Hardiness Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9