Tree germander
Teucrium fruticans
A silver-leaved, blue-flowered pollinator shrub that clips into fast, informal hedges and thrives in hot, dry spots. Handles moderate frost but hates wet feet.
Tree germander in a syntropic line
Tree germander belongs in the Shrub layer as a Secondary species. Support species, fruit, and nitrogen fixers under the canopy. Rough in-row spacing starts around 0.9 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Carob tree, Casuarina. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Shrub
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Rocky
- Soil pH range
- 6.5 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -10°C
- Min. rainfall
- 300 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Silver-leaved pollinator sub-shrub that clips into fast informal hedges; shear after flowering to keep it dense and compact.
How to propagate
Sow seed in spring or take softwood cuttings in early summer.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Reasonably frost hardy once established but dislikes waterlogged soil; young plants benefit from protection in hard frosts.
Frequently asked questions about Tree germander
Is tree germander frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -10°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does tree germander need?
It does best on sandy, rocky ground, at pH about 6.5–8.5.
How much water does tree germander need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 300 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can tree germander handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — tree germander has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with tree germander?
Reasonably frost hardy once established but dislikes waterlogged soil; young plants benefit from protection in hard frosts.
Design your line to see how your land fits Tree germander.
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