Teucrium fruticans (Shrubby germander) — Bushy

Overview

Teucrium fruticans is a bushy shrubs in the genus Teucrium, part of the Lamiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 1-1.5 metres tall and 1-1.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Teucrium fruticans grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds, rock garden, low maintenance, banks and slopes, ground cover and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to Portugal Continental.

About the genus

Teucrium is a cosmopolitan genus of flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae, commonly known as germanders. Plants in this genus are perennial herbs or shrubs, with branches that are more or less square in cross-section, leaves arranged in opposite pairs, and flowers arranged in thyrses, the corolla with mostly white to cream-coloured, lobed petals.

Wikipedia contributors, "Teucrium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Teucrium

In the garden

Teucrium fruticans sits in the genus Teucrium within the mint family Lamiaceae and forms a compact, well-branched evergreen shrub about 1–1.5 metres high and wide. It produces its main display between June and September and will establish to its mature dimensions over a period of five to ten years. Give this shrub a sunny, sheltered position on a south- or west-facing aspect where soils are free-draining. It tolerates chalk, loam and sandy soils and prefers neutral to alkaline pH; avoid waterlogged ground. Full sun promotes the best flowering and overall habit, while a sheltered site reduces stress from cold winds. Use Teucrium fruticans as a structural evergreen in sunny mixed borders or where a compact, long-lived shrub is required; its size suits low hedging, the front of borders or planting beside paths and entrances. It will establish more reliably where it receives sustained sun and good drainage, and gardeners can expect a sustained flowering period from June to September and a mature height within five to ten years.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Teucrium

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Teucrium fruticans size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Evergreen
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Time to full height: 5-10 years
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Rock garden, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Ground cover, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Native to: Portugal Continental
Fragrance: Mildly aromatic foliage, not strongly fragrant flowers.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Teucrium fruticans

Cultivation: Prefers full sun and well-drained alkaline to neutral soils; benefits from sheltered positions; drought tolerant once established.
Pruning: Light pruning after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness; avoid hard pruning into old wood.
Propagation: Seed, Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Division
Pest resistance: Generally pest-free
Disease resistance: Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Teucrium fruticans?

Prefers full sun and well-drained alkaline to neutral soils; benefits from sheltered positions; drought tolerant once established.

Where is the best place to plant Teucrium fruticans?

Teucrium fruticans prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Teucrium fruticans need?

Teucrium fruticans is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It prefers alkaline and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.