Teucrium, also known as “germander”, is a large plant genus with about 250 species of flowering perennials and shrubs worldwide. Most of them are native to the Mediterranean region and thus are pretty heat- and drought-tolerant while also being frost hardy to -10℃ or more.
They are simple to cultivate, have no great demands besides a well-drained and like to grow in the sun.
Teucrium lucidrys
A small evergreen shrub growing to about 30×50 cm with small leaves and lots of pink flowers in June. It has an allelopathic effect, suppressing weeds in its immediate vicinity. It grows in sun or shade and is pretty indifferent as to soil quality.
Teucrium ackermanii
A small evergreen ground cover of 10x40cm with lots of dark pink, scented flowers in May and June. It needs a poor and well-drained soil for a long life.
Teucrium chamaedrys
A small half-evergreen or deciduous shrub with small dark green leaves. It grows into a small ground cover of 25 x 35 cm and flowers pink from Mai to July. It grows in sun or shade and is pretty indifferent as to soil quality.
Teucrium betonicum
An evergreen perennial of up to 100 cm height. Its foliage is silvery green and its flowers in the spring and summer are a pretty shade of pink. I’ve only planted this one in the fall of 2024 and don’t have any flowers yet.
Teucrium fruticans
This is a relatively large shrub of up to 200 x 200 cm, often used in hedges along streets or used as topiary. It is evergreen with silvery green foliage and lots of light blue, dark blue, or white flowers (depending on the variety) from January to June, and sometimes in the fall. It needs a light, well-drained soil.
Teucrium marum
Alas – I tried to grow this one twice and both times the cats destroyed it utterly. It has a strong mustard-like scent when touched, which must be the most seductive perfume to a cat (in French it is also called “herbe à chat”)…
If it had survived it would have been a small evergreen shrub, with lots of pink flowers from June to August.
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