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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Mediterranean (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Dark Blue |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Synonyms: [T. fruitcans 'Azurea'] |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum' (Bush Germander) – Though smaller than the species, this cultivar still grows as a silver mound up to 4-5 feet tall and 5 feet wide but is often kept lower. It has leaves that are gray-green above and silver white beneath, which gives the whole plant a silvery appearance. Deep blue flowers bloom at branch tips in the summer-fall. It grows tighter in a sunny location but can be grown in light shade and is good in many soil types, so long as it has decent drainage and given only occasional irrigation. It is hardy to around 10 degrees F. This is a great plant for the informal mediterranean planting or sheared in a formal garden where it attracts bees and is resistant to deer predation. This species hails from dry sunny locations in western Europe from Portugal across southern Europe to the islands in the Adriatic Sea. 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 the Latin word for shrubby. This shrub won the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's 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, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum'.
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