Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Teucrium fruticans Ventecu

Teucrium (x) fruticans 'Ventecu' Indyho ®
Tree Germander, Shrubby Germander

Be the first to leave a review

Shipping country:

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

A small bushy shrub with a rounded habit, highly ornamental due to the combination of its evergreen grey-silver foliage and abundant flowering, from October to April. It is naturally branching so perfect for pruning and topiary art. This plant is typical of Mediterranean climates and can withstand long dry summers and tolerate rocky, limestone and poor soils, but it will perish below -9°C (15.8°F).
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
80 cm
Spread at maturity
80 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
plantfit-full

Would this plant suit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time April, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time January to August, October to December
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

Teucrium fruticans 'Ventecu' is one of the best varieties of the Shrubby Germander, a drought-tolerant and poor soil bush widely planted in gardens in the Mediterranean region. This bush forms a compact, dense mass of white stems with evergreen silver-grey foliage that perfectly showcases its deep blue flowers. A spectacle that is even more appreciated because it begins in autumn in mild climates and lasts for several months. Other advantages of this germander are its excellent pruning tolerance and resistance to long dry summers. Its only drawback is its limited cold resistance, down to -8/-10°C (17.6/14°F) at the most.

The 'Ventecu' Shrubby Germander is a bush from the mint family, closely related to salvias, mints, and lavenders. Its parent plant, Teucrium fruticans, is native to southern Spain, southern Portugal, and Morocco. In the wild, it can reach 2m (7ft) in all directions. It thrives in sunny and poor soil conditions and can withstand brief frosts of around -12°C (10.4°F).

This cultivar, sometimes sold under the name 'Curaçao', is a French horticultural creation by Vertnantes S.A.R.L dating back to 2019. It stands out from the species with its more compact habit and its much more intense blue flowers (the pale blue-lilac flowers of the wild species are quite discreet). The bush develops square woody stems, covered with a white down, strongly branching at right angles and interlocking to form a dense and overall rounded mass. When fully mature, this variety will reach 80cm (32in) in all directions, up to 1m (3ft) in favourable climates if not regularly pruned. The branches bear small oval, evergreen leaves which are slightly aromatic when crushed. They are covered with a fine white down, giving them a silvery colour that becomes even lighter in dry and warm conditions. The undersides of the leaves are very downy and almost white. The flowering lasts for at least 3 months from October to April-May in the Mediterranean region, and from April to August further north. Small two-lipped, 1.5cm (1in) long flowers veined with bluish-purple on a bright blue background, form in the leaf axils.

When pruned into a ball shape, like box, Teucrium fruticans 'Ventecu' is strikingly original. It can also be used in low shrub borders, as a standalone feature in a rock garden, or in containers on the terrace. It is an ideal bush for coastal areas or dry gardens. You can recreate an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere by pairing it with rockroses, rosemary, and Westringia, bushy salvias, bushy potentillas, etc.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm
Spread at maturity 80 cm
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour blue
Flowering time January to August, October to December
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 3 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour grey or silver
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Teucrium

Species

(x) fruticans

Cultivar

'Ventecu' Indyho ®

Family

Lamiaceae

Other common names

Tree Germander, Shrubby Germander

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference20908

Other Summer flowering perennials

32
From 6,90 € 8/9 cm pot
41
From 8,90 € 10cm/11cm pot
12
41,50 € 6L/7L pot
21
From 3,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

14
From 8,90 € 8/9 cm pot
Available to order
From 18,50 € 2L/3L pot
37
From 5,90 € 8/9 cm pot
33
From 5,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

12
From 6,90 € 8/9 cm pot
8
From 8,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Planting and care

Teucrium fruticans and its varieties are typical plants of a Mediterranean climate, perfectly adapted to long, dry and hot summers. They thrive in sunny positions, sheltered from strong winds if the garden is located in a borderline hardiness zone. This variety is slightly less hardy than the species and will have the tips of its shoots freeze at -6 to -8°C (21.2 to 17.6°F). If the bush is planted in very well-draining soil (rocky, sandy or gravel-rich), it will withstand temperatures down to -9/-10°C (15.8/14°F), provided that temperatures quickly return to above freezing during the day. It is undemanding in terms of soil type, as long as it is well-draining, and tolerates limestone very well. Once established, it is resistant to drought and requires no watering in summer in all regions. In slightly colder regions, it is best to plant it in spring, while planting in October is recommended in regions with hot and dry summers. It is an easy-to-grow bush. After flowering, shorten the branches that have bloomed by half. It tolerates and even appreciates pruning, including severe pruning, which allows it to rejuvenate and maintain a very dense habit.

17
14,50 € Each
6
19,50 €

Planting period

Best planting time April, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Planting spacing Every 2 cm
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions After flowering, prune the branches with shears by 20 cm (8in). Remove all dead wood at the end of winter. You can prune more severely every 4 years, which will rejuvenate this bush.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March, June to July
Soil moisture Dry soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →

Haven't found what you were looking for?

We only deliver seed and bulb products to your country. If you add other products to your basket, they cannot be shipped.