Mystery plant growing among strawberries
Nigel4ever
Posts: 16
Hi! This could be embarrassing - I have been carefully tending to, what could potentially be, a weed!
I grew a few different varieties of strawberry from seed about a year a go. They are really happy now and are producing a crop.
Now, I could have made this realisation much earlier if I was more experienced (and more cut throat) when the true leaves first appeared. But no. I have tended to these plants thinking they were a special variety of strawberry I have never seen before.
Except, it wasn't just me that had never seen these 'special' strawberry plants before. Many times guest and my missus have tactfully let me know that they do not believe them to be strawberries, and asked 'why am I growing them still'.
Now that the other (more typical strawberry plants) have started to grow juicy, sweet, yummy strawberries, I feel it is finally time to find out the truth!
Please see the image below, and put me out of my misery! What on earth are these plants!?
Posts
Hi, it looks like marjoram. Rub the leaves and see if there is a smell. Great herb and pollinaters love it.
They look beautifully healthy!
@philippa, I'm glad it made you laugh! I will see if I can pull it off with confidence!
@yarrow2, thank you!
@Buddyboy, I don't think its Pentas - the leaves are not right.
@Daintiness. I think you could be right there!
I have never bought Marjoram seeds in my life. Marjoram doesn't just turn up on its own like that, does it?
It must have been mixed in with the strawberry seeds?
It was a while back now, but I am certain that they came from the same seed tray in the potting shed!
I have rubbed the leaves and there is a strong vague 'herb' smell. But I have never bought Marjoram before so I could not say what it should smell like.
Looking at images online of Marjoram - some varieties are very similar, if not exact. So I think we may have a winner! Unless anyone else has any bright ideas?
Thanks everyone for your replies!
Give iy the scratch and sniff test for marjoram
Pentas isn't hardy and is unlikely to turn up in the strawberry patch unless you put it there. Though after last (non ) winter there may be a survivor if you grew it before.
If it doesn't have scented leaves and no-one comes up with an answer, a picture from the side would help and even better, dare I say, in focus
In the sticks near Peterborough
Certainly looks like majoram to me, wait til it flowers, it should have pink flowers.
But try and keep it in check, it likes to spread around.
Here are some more photos as requested!
@SwissSue thanks for the reply. Well, I have tons of it in that case!
The flowers look like they will be pretty - but should I cut them off immediately like other herbs to prevent the herb going woody?
Does anybody know what I can do with the Marjoram? Is it nice with meat?
Thanks!
Nigel, google "majoram in the kitchen", you'll get lots of ideas.
good in pizzas and pasta dishes.
If you cut it back after flowering it will stop it seeding everywhere. I cut mine back to base at the end of the season, or more often the beginning of the next season
In the sticks near Peterborough
It certainly looks like marjoram to me. I've got a lovely golden oregano which is a close relative of marjoram. It's great with meats, vegetables, cheese, eggs - almost anything!
Just use the leaves, not the stalks, and it will give dinners a lovely mediterranean feel!
Good luck