Garden Oracle / Drought and Heat Tolerant Gardening / Tucson - Phoenix - Arizona - California

Growing Teucrium fruticans:
Tree Germander

social icons Facebook Pinterest Instagram Threads Bluesky Reddit

Description
Form: Shrub.
Leaf retention: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 4-7' (1.2-2.1m) high and 6' (1.8m) wide.
Flowers: Downward arching stamens hanging over a blue to violet, five-lobed lower petal.
Bloom: Winter.
Fruit: A tiny, hard dried fruit enclosing a single unattached seed (achene).
Leaves: Bluish-grey or silver-green, oval-to-lanceolate, fragrant, not edible.
Stems: Covered with silvery white hairs.
Wildlife: The flowers attract bees. The foliage is seldom browsed.
Toxic / Danger: Somewhat poisonous if ingested. May be an eye irritant.
Origin: Western Mediterranean.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 8-10.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Water after becoming established: Once a month.
Soil: Very well draining, dry, low organic content, pH 6.1-7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline).
Prune: After the danger of frost has past, prune to shape, reduce size, and/or remove freeze damage. This plant responds to shearing with increased leaf density.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: Seed or cuttings.
Uses: Ornamental, low water (xeriscape) garden, hedge, topiary.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Other common names are Bush Germander, Silver Germander, and Shrubby Germander.



Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.

Teucrium fruticans: Tree Germander - flowers

Teucrium fruticans: Tree Germander - flowers

Teucrium fruticans: Tree Germander

Latest update: September, 2024
© 2008-2024 by GardenOracle.com