Teucrium chamaedrys L.

RHS Plant Profile
wall germander

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wall germander John Fielding

Other common names

ground oak, horse chive, wild germander, mercury

Plants for pollinators
Shrubs
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A variable, dwarf evergreen sub-shrub to 20cm in height and spreading to 90cm, with small dark green leaves, hairy beneath. Fragrant, pale to deep rose-purple flowers in loose, terminal spikes, later in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Sand Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Teucrium can be herbaceous perennials, deciduous or evergreen shrubs or sub-shrubs, with paired, aromatic leaves and tubular, 1-lipped flowers in whorls
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe to Iran

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained prefrably neutral to alkaline soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by soft wood cuttings in early summer or semi ripe cuttings in mid summer. Rooted cuttings will need winter protection in a cool greenhouse or cold frame

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Prune in spring, trim any winter damaged foliage

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free