Germander Silver
Teucrium x Ackermannii
Germanders have become very popular in the last few years.
This is a hardy, low growing perennial originating from the Eastern Mediterranean and is quite
different from the better known bushy species. It is beautifully compact, and eventually spreads to
make a carpet up to 45cm across and no more than 10 – 15 cm high, 20cm when in flower.
The silvery grey-green foliage is evergreen and aromatic, and flowers are produced in abundance in
June and then on into September. These are a lovely purplish-pink colour and attractive to all
insect pollinators.
This is essentially a alpine plant and requires sun and perfectly drained soil, either stony or
sandy, and is perfect planted on a slope where any rainwater will quickly drain away. When first
planted water a few times as it establishes but make sure that the soil is dry between each
watering. It is hardy down to -15ºC if planted in dry well-draining conditions.
The silver germander is ideal for any hot dry spot in the garden and will thrive even in the most
difficult soil. The silvery foliage and purple-pink flowers look lovely planted with our popular
creeping thyme range and will thrive in a dry gravel garden and in spaces between flagstones where
there is not too much footfall. It will give perfect ground cover at the base of a sunny south
facing wall where it is difficult to establish many plants.