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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Europe, Eastern (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Magenta |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [Teucrium x lucidrys] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Teucrium chamaedrys (Wall Germander) - This low-growing evergreen dark green subshrub grows 2 feet tall and spreads 2-3 feet by underground rhizomes. It has small leaves that have deeply serrated edges and in late spring into summer, spikes of magenta-pink colored flowers rise above the foliage. Plant in full sun and water occasionally. Thrives in heat and most any soil and is hardy to 0 degrees F. Lightly shear in late winter to keep dense and neat. A great clean looking plant for a low hedge or edging plant and attractive to bees and butterflies. This plant that was once valued for folk medicinal qualities in the treatment of gout, inflammation, respiratory and stomach ailments but less so now as it is recognized that its use risks liver damage. This plant has a widespread distribution throughout Europe from the Balearic Islands on the Mediterranean Sea north to Holland, west to Portugal and east to Turkey and central Russia. The name for the genus has several possible derivations but most likely it is from the Greek name Teucer, a king of Troy, who is said to have used the plant medicinally. The specific epithet is from the Greek words 'khamai' meaning "ground" and 'drus' meaning "oak" and the common name also has a similar meaning as it was derived from the Latin word 'germandra' that has a similar meaning, both in reference to the leaves that do resemble little oak leaves. That is a certain amount of confusion whether Teucrium chamaedrys is distinct from the plant called Teucrium x lucidrys which by most accounts is an unresolved name of purported hybrid between Teucrium chamaedrys and T. lucidum that was first described in 1957.
The information on this page is based on our library and online research as well as observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Teucrium chamaedrys.
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