Compact Creeping Germander (Teucrium)

Teucrium (Germander) is a huge family of perennials, herbs and shrubs found world-wide, with the highest concentration of species in the Mediterranean region of Europe and Northern Africa.

Preferred growing conditions:

• Plant in sandy or gravel soils, although many species can adapt to well drained loam soils; avoid clay.
• Most species are best positioned in a full sun location.
• Mulch with gravel or pine needles in dry Western climates. Leave un-mulched in moister climates.
• Water regularly the first growing season to establish the plant. Thereafter, only occasional deep watering is needed, when conditions are dry in the heat of summer.
• Deadhead the flowers when blooming is finished. Groundcover Teucrium chaemadrys 'Prostratum,' when used as a lawn substitute, can be mowed to deadhead the flower spikes.
• Fertilize lightly in the fall with Yum Yum Mix.

Special comments:

• Many Teucrium species are evergreen and shouldn't be cut back in the spring. But in late fall, rake off brown tree leaves and other fall debris to keep plants clean and foliage healthy over the winter. In spring, winter killed tips can be sheared off.
• Teucrium chaemadrys and T. chaemadrys 'Prostratum' are a zone more cold hardy in dry winter Western climates than in the moist Eastern US.