Family: Lamiaceae
Common Name: Germander

There are around 300 species in this genus of aromatic, evergreen and deciduous shrubs and subshrubs, and herbaceous perennials, widely distributed throughout the world, though mostly in areas around the Mediterranean. The genus name appears in both Latin and Greek ancient botanical works and several species of germander have a long history of use in herbal medicine. The soft-wooded, perennial species are useful for rock gardens and border plant­ings, while the shrubs make attractive, small hedges. Most species are summer flowering.

Species

T. chamaedrys, wall germander, zone 5, from Europe, is low growing, spreading to about 75 cm (30 in) wide and 30-60 cm (12-24 in) high. It has small, deeply serrated, dark green leaves, sometimes hairy on the undersides. Sprays of reddish purple or rose pink flowers appear in mid to late summer.

T. fruticans, shrubby germander, zone 8, from southern Europe, grows to 1 m (3 ft) high. The pretty, pale lavender flowers are borne in termi­nal sprays amongst aromatic, oval, gray-green foliage. This species tolerates poor, dry condi­tions and is often hedged at heights under 1 m (3 ft).

T. marum, cat thyme, zone 9, is a low-growing shrub, to 30-50 cm (12-24 in), with stems covered in thick, white hair and small, lance-shaped leaves. The purple flowers are borne in clusters. Native to the islands of the western Mediterranean, this species is favored by cats.

T. scorodonia, wood sage or sage-leaved germander, zone 6, is a dwarf shrub gen­erally well under 1 m (3 ft) high. The heart-shaped leaves are gray-green and wrinkly and the yellow-green flowers are borne in tall spikes from midsummer to early autumn. It has been used since mediaeval times as a tonic and other remedial purposes.

Cultivation

Teucriums like full sun and well-drained, sandy soil, which is ideally alkaline or neutral. Gravelly or stony soil of low fertility is good for the small species, as in these condi­tions they remain more compact. T. fruticans should he pruned in early spring by cutting back all stems to within a few buds of the
ground. Propagate from seed sown in a garden frame in autumn, or from softwood or semi-ripe cut­tings in summer, in a heated propagating case.

Climate

There are species suited to various cli­matic zones.