Teucrium polium (cat thyme) — Clump forming, Bushy

Overview

Teucrium polium is a clump forming, bushy shrub in the genus Teucrium, part of the Lamiaceae family, with semi evergreen or evergreen foliage. Teucrium polium grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildflower meadow and wildlife gardens. It is native to Algeria, Corse, France, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia.

About

Teucrium polium is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen shrub in the Lamiaceae that holds its shape outside the main flowering season. It prefers full sun on well-drained loam and suits sheltered, south-facing sites. Plants reliably flower from June to September. The habit is compact and multi-stemmed, making it suitable for close planting in mixed borders.

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

A Mediterranean sub-shrub by origin, Teucrium polium comes from Algeria, Corse, France, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia and is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its growth is clump-forming and semi-evergreen, retaining foliage for much of the year while producing a flush of summer blooms between June and September. Place cat thyme in a sunny, south-facing spot with shelter from strong cold winds. It favours a loam soil of neutral pH that drains freely; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground. The plant’s exposure preference is sheltered, and its UK hardiness rating of H6 means it is very hardy in most British gardens when given the right siting. Use Teucrium polium where its compact form and summer flowers will contribute to a relaxed planting scheme: cottage and informal borders, wildflower meadow edges and wildlife-friendly areas are appropriate settings. Plant in groups for impact and combine with other full-sun perennials suited to well-drained loam. Expect reliable summer interest from June to September, while its semi-evergreen foliage provides structure outside the flowering period.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Teucrium

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

Plant details

Teucrium polium size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Shrub
Habit: Clump forming, Bushy
Foliage: Semi evergreen or Evergreen
Suggested uses: Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native to: Algeria, Corse, France, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia