Teucrium fruticans (Tree Germander)
Sturdy, Teucrium fruticans (Tree Germander) is a twiggy evergreen shrub boasting small, aromatic, gray-green leaves with silvery white undersides that seem to glow in the landscape. Tiny lavender-blue flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), often buzzing with bees, bloom almost year-round at the branch tips. Native to Mediterranean climates, Tree Germander is extremely durable, tolerating drought, wind and salt spray.
Sturdy, Teucrium fruticans (Tree Germander) is a twiggy evergreen shrub boasting small, aromatic, gray-green leaves with silvery white undersides that seem to glow in the landscape. Tiny lavender-blue flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), often buzzing with bees, bloom almost year-round at the branch tips. Native to Mediterranean climates, Tree Germander is extremely durable, tolerating drought, wind and salt spray. It thrives in heat and in poor or rocky soils. Can be clipped as a hedge or topiary.
- Grows up to 4-8 ft. tall and wide (120-240 cm).
- Easily grown in neutral to alkaline soil, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought-tolerant once established but does best when watered regularly in summer.
- Great for beds and borders, wall-side borders, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, Mediterranean gardens, city gardens.
- Virtually disease and pest free, it is deer resistant.
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, both with bottom heat.
- Native to the Mediterranean region.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 8 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 8 – 9 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Teucrium – Germanders |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
| Height | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
| Spread | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
| Spacing | 72″ – 96″ (180cm – 240cm) |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |