A raised edging can help to prevent this erosion. Oregano and most other herbs that grow low to the soil are not going to be growing all year round. Something like periwinkle (vinca) or packysandra as low growing ground cover can help to reduce erosion, as well as act as a weed barrier.

Both those would look nice, but I'm focusing on herbs right now, hoping to avoid using exotics or anything invasive.

Thank you, though...I appreciate the response. I may end up having to put in an edge of some sort. -- Carol

Carol,

I live in south Texas, on the coast. I planted some Mountain Greek Oregano a year or so ago, and it is doing great and being well behaved. It is so pretty and it stays low. I can't remember where I picked it up, but you shouldn't have any problems finding it.

Also some of the creeping thymes might be a good idea. I have good luck with lemon thyme. You can always grow some mint, and if it gets too invasive for you, just pull it out. Everyone says it is so invasive, but if you keep an eye on it, you shouldn't have any problems. What about pennyroyal and/or winter savory? If you haven't grown Mexican Mint Marigold, I would suggest that you try it. It is a perennial that gets to about 10" and can take the worst Texas weather. It dies back every fall, and come spring, it comes right back up. And then there is the good old Horse Herb, what many consider a weed, but it is very good as a ground cover. I quit pulling it up years ago, because it is pretty and likes Texas weather. And there are several compact basil varieties that you might want to check out. And there is a dwarf curry plant that has great color and texture.

There are lots more, but these are just a few suggestions. If I can think of some others, I'll post them here. And remember that many of the herbs which are thought of as annuals in other parts of the country, can actually be grown as perennials in Central and South Texas.

I do have Mexican mint marigold and absolutely love it. My favorite fragrant herb! Mine got 3' high last year. I've tried sowing some seeds that I collected from it, but don't know yet if anything will come of them.

Since what I'm looking for now will be going in my front yard, I need to find something that's evergreen in my area. Maybe cat mint...I've had good luck with that.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I'll take a look at what you've recommended.

I wonder why your Mexican Mint Marigold grows so much larger than mine. I have about six of them planted in different parts of my yard, and they have never gotten any larger than 10" to 12". And I've been collecting them for the past years, so they are from different nurseries around SE Texas. You must have the green thumb!

Soil conditions vary too, so if its in sandy soil and theplants like a more loamy type, it may be the problem. Here, in the NE in Z6, rosemary grows into small 1 foot tall bushesm and dies out over the winter, as do thyme, oregano, and mint, as well as tarragon. These are all plants that need to be started either by seed or cuttings, as they just don't spread like some of the ground covers I mentioned. The ground covers I mentioned in the earlier post also grow in almost any kind of soil, be it nearly all sand or hard clay.

Is there more than one type of MMM? If I recall, the plant I have came from the Herb Forum in Round Top a couple of years ago...sometimes they have some unusual stuff. I just went out to see if the tag's still there, but it isn't. The thing's 18" high already and it just started leafing out a few weeks ago.

Can't be a green thumb cause I just ignore it, except for scrunching a leaf now and then to enjoy the fragrance.

Have you thought of germander, there is a creeping & upright form that may be evergreen in your zone. I know in mild winters mine is. The upright make great borders.

Here is a picture of Golden Oregano (Oregano vulgare "Aureum"). Needs full sun. Very drought tolerant. It usually gets a little leggy by mid July. I just shear it within a couple of inches from the ground and fertilize and it comes right back and looks great till frost. This is a great trouble free plant and it's also culinary.

Karen: I have considered germander (speedwell 'veronica'), but from the photos I've found of it online, I'm wondering if it would grow thickly enough to prevent erosion. Very pretty with the little flowers.

Herblady: That golden oregano looks nice. Is that picture of your garden? I'm going to restrict myself--with great difficulty, I'm sure--to plants that have blue/violet/purple blooms and that color foliage would look great as a companion.

Thank you both,
Carol