Jessie Keith
Family
Lamiaceae
Botanical Name
Teucrium chamaedrys
Plant Common Name
Wall Germander
General Description
Pretty, crisp, evergreen leaves cover the attractive and much underused wall germander. Mediterranean in origin, this semi-woody perennial is quite winter hardy and drought tolerant once established. It has a low, spreading habit and stiff, upright branches that look especially handsome spilling over garden walls, troughs or containers.
Though a member of the mint family, the small, leathery, dark green leaves of this Old World ornamental herb are not fragrant. On occasion, the glossy leaves turn brown in winter, but usually they are reliably evergreen. Lots of small, purplish pink flowers appear in loose spikes along the stems in summer. The tubular blooms have a prominent lower lip and are not necessarily fragrant, but they are colorful and attract lots of bees and butterflies. The fruits are small, brown and inconspicuous. Garden grown varieties rarely self-sow.
Grow wall germander in full sun and moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is neutral to alkaline. Sharp drainage is essential because excess moisture in winter can cause root and stem rot. Specimens planted in their northernmost hardiness zones may lose their leaves in winter. Plant in locations protected from harsh winter winds as this can lead to leaf dessication and browning. The plants can be sheared back if a tidy, manicured look is desired.
Wall germander is a wonderful specimen for rockeries, wall plantings or garden edges. It can be planted in formal rows and sheared for parterres and other formal garden plantings. In fact, it was a favorite plant for medieval knot and herbal gardens, though it should not be eaten. Prostrate forms can be planted as groundcover.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 4
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Herb
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
Mediterranean
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Edging, Foundation, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No
