With its attractive , fragrant , evergreen plant leaf , Mediterranean germander is a best-loved plant for mile gardens .
Germander is a genus of about 260 species in the mint kinsfolk with worldwide distribution . Many species of germander are native to the Mediterranean . Germanders are either semi - fruticulose plant or herbs . They are grown as garden ornamentals for their attractive , fragrant foliage and blossom , which might be grim , pinkish , purple , or whitened depending on the mintage . This hardy perennial is well-situated to grow . The suffrutex varieties lend themselves to pruning , which makes them a preferent plant for knot garden where they can be sculpted into serpentine shapes .
Where to Plant Germander
The best planting spot for germander bet on the mintage . Germander species that are native to the Mediterranean need full sun and well - drain , neutral to slightly alkaline soils . They should be planted in a protected spot where they are shield from extreme cold . American germander is hardy and even adapts to land with poor drain .
If you are not into knot gardens , there are plenty of other ways to apply germander in your landscape . It is easily shaped into borders or low hedges or planted in rock garden . you could also plant it among perennial , where it will tot up evergreen color , or twin it with other pollinator plants for a colorful jazz band that pull in fly visitor .
How and When to Plant Germander
works germander in the spring after the last frost , which gives it the entire season to get build . Dig a hole at least twice the breadth of the rootball and place the works in the hole . Backfill it with the original dirt and tamp it down . piddle it and keep the grease moist for the first few weeks and water it regularly during the first turn time of year to boost a strong source organization .
Spacing depends on the sizing of the coinage and what you want to accomplish . For a impenetrable hedge , space flora 6 in aside . For specimen or a cursory row , lead about 1 substructure between plants .
Germander Care Tips
Light
While germander can endure partial shade , it grow most smartly in full sun . In partial shade , ontogeny slow down .
Soil and Water
Many specie of germander are aboriginal to the Mediterranean , where full Lord’s Day and well - run out , sandlike soils are the norm , so implant it in a place that mimics these conditions . The pH should be between 6.0 and 8.0 .
Most germander species tolerate dry conditions , making themideal for xeriscape gardens . The one big elision is American germander ( Teucrium canadense ) , which acquire well in poorly drained territory such as pelting gardens .
Temperature and Humidity
Mediterranean germander is hardy and evergreen in most regions . It is marginally hardy in some area of Zones 5 and 6 , where winter terms is vulgar . Protect your plant from the common cold by insulating them with a thick blanket of wheat in wintertime . The foliation of American germander unremarkably die back during the wintertime and it ’s less susceptible to frigid scathe .
Mediterranean germander does dear in dry climates whereas American germander is more kind of humidness .
Fertilizer
Despite their slight differences in arise condition , what all germander mintage have in common is that they can develop even in poor soil , so fertilization is not perfectly necessary . However , a spring software of a coarse-grained balanced general - purpose fertilizer will surely benefit the plant ’s wellness . For the amount to use , consult the product label directions .
Pruning
If your semi - shrubby germander has wintertime price . but cut away dead branches the undermentioned spring , and plants will bring forth new foliage . Otherwise , you’re able to prune it correctly after flowering which not only maintains a neater coming into court but also promote new leafage growing . Do n’t prune semi - shrubby germander in the dusk , as this can make it more susceptible to winter damage .
American germander does not require pruning , but it be given to reseed itself so if you want to prevent it from propagate , remove the spend flowers before they turn into seed .
Potting and Repotting Germander
Because of its summary size , germander contribute itself to container - farm . Select a raft that is about twice the diam of the root ball to allow for growth and fill it with well - drain potting mixture . piss well after planting and keep the soil light moist at all times — retrieve that germander , like all potted plants , call for more body of water in jackpot than in garden soil . Also , fertilise it a couple of sentence during the grow time of year .
Repot it to a enceinte pot when the root have filled the container .
Pests and Problems
Germander has few insect and disease problem . Wall germander can be susceptible to spider mites . Disease problem such as mildew , leaf place , and rust are often triggered by excessive humidity . As a preventive measure , throw sure that there is proper zephyr circulation within plants as well as between plants .
How to Propagate Germander
Mediterranean germander ispropagated by divisionor cuttings in the give .
Take a 4- to 6 - inch healthy slip and slay the lower leaves , Dip the cut remainder in root hormone powder and introduce it into a 4 - inch pot filled with damp potting mix . Place it in a location with shining luminosity but away from direct sun . Keep it evenly moist at all times . When the cut grow new leaves and it does not wiggle when you gently tug on it , it should have rooted . Let it grow into a vigorous piddling plant before transplanting it in the garden or in a big heap .
American germander is best rise from seed . The seeds take 60 days ofcold stratification . Plant seeds 1/16 inch deeply directly outdoors in a grass - free garden bottom or in pots filled with potting medium . Seedsshould be just covered as they postulate light to germinate . Keep them evenly moist .
Types of Germander
Wall Germander
Teucrium chamaedrys(Wall germander ) is a pop evergreen suffrutex native to the Mediterranean . It has pink to violet blossom and grows 9 to 12 inches tall and 1 to 2 foot wide . geographical zone 5 to 9
Tree Germander
genus Teucrium fruticans(Tree germander ) is a tall and bigger Mediterranean germander species that grows 4 to 6 feet marvelous and wide . It has gray - unripened leaf and blue flowers that resemble tiny orchids . It is much less hardy than other germander . zona 8 to 10
American Germander
Teucrium canadenseis sleep with as American germander or Canadian germander . It is a herbaceous perennial that grows 1.5 feet tall and wide and blooms purplish - pink in the summertime . Zone 4 to 9
Germander Companion Plants
Hyssop
Hyssopsare perennials that flower for a long meter in wonderful colours atop grandiloquent , striking plant . They make a nectar that is irresistible to hummingbird and butterfly . Most are heat and drouth tolerant . Zone 4 - 10
Lavender
With its sedate scent , biting gustatory modality , dainty blossom , and velvety gray - green leaves , lavenderappeals to almost every sense . This shrubby perennial is deer - resistant and attracts butterflies and pollinator . Successfully growing lavender needs first and foremost Sunday and well - draining soil . zona 5 - 9
Russian Sage
Russian sageis a sun - get laid plant with silverish - unripened leafage . This hardy perennial is a great addition to a garden . It can act as a specimen plant or provide contrast to other plants with its wispy grain and lavender or blue color . Zone 4 - 9
Frequently Asked Questions
Because American germander fan out smartly , it is sometimes viewed as baffling . Being aboriginal to North America , however , it does not fall under the coarse definition of an introduced encroaching coinage .
It depends on the species . The semi - shrubby wall germander and tree germander are evergreen . American germander dies back to the ground in the wintertime .
update by Nadia Hassani
