Shrub
Shrubby germander
Teucrium fruticans · Lamiaceae
Also called: Bush germander, Azure bush germander, Silver germander, Tree germander
Shrubby germander (Teucrium fruticans) is a low-water shrub well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun, with a moderate to fast growth rate. Expect lavender-blue to violet-blue blooms Nearly year-round in mild climates.
Shrubby germander at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun; tolerates reflected heat and western exposures
- Mature size
- 4-6 ft H x 4-8 ft W (compact cultivars like 'Azureum' stay 3-4 ft)
- Growth rate
- Moderate to fast
- Bloom
- Lavender-blue to violet-blue, Nearly year-round in mild climates; heaviest in winter and spring
- Cold hardiness
- Hardy to about 10-15 F; some stem dieback at the cold end; USDA zones 8-10
- Soil
- Well-drained soil; tolerates poor, rocky, and alkaline soils. Avoid heavy, wet soils.
- Native range
- Western and central Mediterranean region (southern Europe and North Africa); not native to Arizona
- Best used as
- Informal hedge or screen, Foundation and accent shrub, Silver-foliage contrast plant, Pollinator gardens, Mediterranean and low-water landscapes
- Wildlife
- Blue flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies; generally deer- and rabbit-resistant.
- Toxicity
- Not generally considered toxic to people or pets; aromatic foliage.
How to grow Shrubby germander in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Drought tolerant once established; deep water about every 2-3 weeks in summer and monthly or less in cooler months. Overwatering causes floppy, open growth.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Little needed; light spring application of slow-release fertilizer optional. Lean conditions keep it dense and silvery.
Pruning & care
Responds well to shearing or cutting back; prune after main bloom or in early spring to maintain a compact form and remove any frost dieback. Can be sheared as an informal hedge.
Notes
Mediterranean evergreen valued for striking silvery-gray foliage and a very long season of blue flowers, performing well in Tucson heat and full sun. Naturally somewhat open and sprawling; regular pruning keeps it tidy. The 'Azureum' cultivar has deeper blue flowers and a more compact habit.
Sources: Water Use It Wisely (Azure Bush Germander); Waterwise Garden Planner; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Mountain States Wholesale Nursery