Teucrium chamaedrys Alba - Germander

Teucrium chamaedrys 'Alba' is the white-flowered form of the Germander. This semi-woody perennial has a rather spreading habit, supported by branches that are more or less upright or prostrate. Its white-yellow flowers bloom throughout the summer, sprinkling its small, shiny dark green almost evergreen foliage with a snow-like appearance.  It works wonders in rock gardens and allows for beautiful border designs without the need for watering, in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Teucrium chamaedrys is a woody perennial plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae, like thyme and sage. Arid places, especially limestone areas, of central and southern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa are the native habitats of this botanical species, which is very easy to acclimatise in the garden. It quickly forms dense bushy clumps reaching a height of 30 cm (12in). The plant slowly spreads via its rhizomes and rooting stems at the base that root upon contact with the soil. The foliage is mostly evergreen. It consists of small ovate or oblong leaves, which are strongly serrated, veined, somewhat leathery, hairy or glabrous, shiny on top, greyer on the underside. Their shape is reminiscent of oak leaves. The flowering period, which is very long, extends from May-June to September. The very small bilabiate flowers are arranged in whorls on the upper part of the leafy stems.

This lovely low shrub for rock gardens and poor soils is perfectly adapted to drought. It particularly dislikes heavy, rich, and moist soils. Create an evergreen bed by mixing Teucrium chamaedrys Alba with the foliage and fragrances of rockroses, lavenders, rosemarys, thymes, and sages. Add Californian poppies and drought-tolerant spurges for some dynamism in your composition. The Germander, just like cotton lavenders, tolerates pruning very well. It is even essential to maintain a very compact habit and promote flowering. They can be planted together along pathways, kept as low hedges.