How to Prune a Silver Germander.
- 1. Clean the blades of your pruning shears or secateurs with rubbing alcohol on a rag. Wiping the blade removes any lingering disease or fungi that ...
- 2. Cut the plant back hard -- within 6 inches of the soil -- in early spring before new growth begins if it has begun looking "leggy," meaning that ...
- 3. Deadhead, or cut off faded flower heads, with sterilized shears throughout the spring and summer to encourage more blooms. Cut to above lateral ...
- 4. Shear your silver germander down by one-third in early autumn, when you are training it as a hedge. The plant can grow up to 8 feet tall. The plant ...
How do you prune a silver germander?
Shear your silver germander down by one-third in early autumn, when you are training it as a hedge. The plant can grow up to 8 feet tall. The plant is often used as a formal hedge, as it has small, evergreen leaves and a medium to fast growth rate that helps it bounce back from trimmings.
How far apart do you plant germander?
How to Grow Germander. Space the plants 10 to 12 inches apart to create a dense, bushy appearance while still maintaining adequate air flow between the plants. Prune back any surrounding vegetation to prevent crowding.
How do you care for a germander plant?
Water germander weekly to a depth of 3 inches during its first summer in the garden. Water with the hose nozzle at the base of the plant instead of spraying from above, as excess moisture on the foliage creates ideal conditions for mildew. Water to a depth of 2 inches every seven to 10 days once the plants are established.
How do I get rid of creeping germander?
In warmer winters, creeping germander will perk up and begin to flower very early, and will keep right on blooming right through fall. Not a great time to plant. If you must, shade newcomers and water daily if soil is dry. OKAY to prune red oaks and live oaks until February. Spray immediately with clear varnish.
Should you cut back germander?
Regarding pruning in general: The best time to prune this plant is right after flowering, because spent germander flowers give it an unkempt appearance. Pruning restores germander's structural presence in the garden. Pruning after flowering also encourages the plant to channel energy into creating new foliage.
How do you take care of a germander?
This plant prefers dry to medium-moisture soil that is well-drained. It will tolerate poor, sandy soil, provided it is well-drained. Wall germander does well in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, but will protest if planted in very acidic soil, below 6.0 in pH.
How do you prune a germander sage?
In frost-free areas, prune the entire plant back by almost half after the last flowers in fall. This will promote fuller growth the following spring and keep the plant looking tidy over winter. In cooler regions where plants may be semi-evergreen or deciduous, lightly prune in early fall well before the first frost.
How big does a bush germander get?
4-8 ft. highBush germander is a reliable foliage and flowering accent plant. It develops into a large evergreen shrub, 4-8 ft. high, spreading 8-10 ft. across.
How tall does germander grow?
Teucrium fruticans (shrubby germander or tree germander grows 4-6 feet high and wide) is another member of the genus I tried in my yard, but it was, for me, a real heartbreaker!
How do you divide a germander?
As a member of the mint family, germander is easiest to grow from cuttings and division. You can simply pull a piece of existing plant from the ground and put it in some moist soil. New roots should be visible before long. You can also snip a stem and treat it the same way.
How do you trim a silver bush?
Pruning. You can prune the silver bush back in early spring as new growth commences. We suggest a hard pruning every 3 years and a little light pruning every year just after flowering.
What is germander used for?
Germander is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take germander for stomach and intestinal issues, weight loss, fever, and oral hygiene, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
How do you propagate a germander?
Germander can be propagated via seed and takes about 30 days to germinate, or you may also use cuttings in the spring and/or divide in the fall. Plants should be spaced 6 inches (15 cm.) apart for a hedge with the addition of some organic matter worked into the soil.
Is Bush germander native to California?
tall bush germander. Teucrium is native to the Mediterranean area and therefore suited to Sonoma County gardens.
What do you do with a germander?
Germander is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take germander for stomach and intestinal issues, weight loss, fever, and oral hygiene, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
How do you use a germander?
Germander can be propagated via seed and takes about 30 days to germinate, or you may also use cuttings in the spring and/or divide in the fall. Plants should be spaced 6 inches (15 cm.) apart for a hedge with the addition of some organic matter worked into the soil.
Is germander a perennial?
Pink Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) is an Old World perennial grown for its attractive deep glossy green, evergreen foliage and showy display of pink flowers in late spring. Drought resistant (xeric) perennial plant.
Can you eat germander?
Toxicity. It is unsafe to consume germander, and its sale has actually been banned in France. Research has concluded that germander may cause liver disease and even death in some cases.
What is Germander a shrub?
Germander. Germander ( Teucrium chamaedrys) is a small shrubby evergreen plant that is little known today but was once used extensively in the knot gardens that were beloved in Elizabethan England.
How tall does Germander grow?
It prefers dry, well-drained soil and full sun. Left unpruned, germander will reach a height of up to two feet.
Why do hedges need to be pruned?
You don’t want it to bloom, so you will prune it several times during the growing season to keep your hedge neat and flower-free. Traditionally, germander was used to treat gout. In modern times, it is used to attract beneficial insects such as bees who feast on its pollen.
Can you prune Germander from seed?
It can also be grown from seed. You have several choices when pruning germander depending on how you plan to use it. If you are growing it as a specimen plant in your herb garden, you can either shear off the flowers when it has finished blooming or you can shear off the flowers and prune the plants back within a few inches ...
How far apart should Germander be planted?
Plants should be spaced 6 inches (15 cm.) apart for a hedge with the addition of some organic matter worked into the soil.
What is a low growing Germander?
Varieties of Low Growing Germanders. Teucrium canadense is just one of several germanders with a creeping habitat. A little easier to find is T. chamaedrys, or wall germander, with a short mounding form up to 1 1/2 feet (46 cm.) tall with pinkish purple blooms and oak leaf shaped foliage.
What is Germander herb?
Germander herb plants are members of the Lamiaceae or Mint family, which includes lavender and salvia. This is a large genus of evergreens, from ground covers to shrubs to sub shrubs. Creeping germander ( Teucrium canadense) is a woody, perennial ground cover varietal that spreads through underground rhizomes and reaches to only about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm.) tall and spreading 2 feet (61 cm.) across. Germander herb plants bloom lavender-hued flowers in the spring borne off of green serrated foliage.
Where does the Germander grow?
Its name derives from the Greek ‘chamai’ for ground and ‘drus’ meaning oak and is indeed a germander found growing wild in Greece and Syria. T.cossoni majoricum, or fruity germander, is a slower growing spreading perennial that is non-invasive with rosy lavender flowers.
How to get rid of spider mites?
Spider mite infestations are a hazard and can be eradicated with a stream of water or an insecticidal soap.
Can Germander be grown in full sun?
The adaptable germander ground cover isn’t particularly picky about its location. This herb can be grown in full sun to part shade, in hot climates, or poor and rocky soil. Ideally, however, creeping germander prefers well drained soil ( pH of 6.3 ), although clay will work in a pinch.
Is creeping germander deer resistant?
Their easygoing care is just one reason to plant creeping germander; they are deer resistant as well!
What is Germander a semishrubby plant?
Germander is a semishrubby perennial grown for its attractive, fragrant foliage and flowers, which might be blue, pink, purple, or white depending on species. Tolerant of pruning, germander is a favorite plant for knot gardens where it can be sculpted into serpentine shapes. It’s also easily shaped into borders or low hedges or planted in rock gardens. Not interested in sculpting this plant? Plant it among perennials, where it will add evergreen color. Or pair it with other pollinator plants for a colorful combo that attracts winged visitors.
What is the best groundcover for germander?
Choose either the green or gray foliage form of santolina to create a textural contrast with the scalloped leaves of germander. Thymus citriodorus, This wonderful groundcover is slightly shorter than germander, so it makes a good filler between hedges of germander in knot gardens.
How big does Teucrium chamaedrys grow?
Wall germander. Wall germander. Teucrium chamaedrys is commonly grown in herbal knot gardens because it can be sheared to maintain a compact shape. It naturally grows 12-20 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide.
Where does Germander grow?
Pair germander with plants that thrive in its preferred growing conditions. Many species of germander are native to the Mediterranean, where full sun and well-drained, sandy soils are the norm. Select plants that thrive in these conditions, such as agave, anise hyssop ( Agastache foeniculum ), artemisia, blanket flower ( Gaillardia ), flax ( Linum perenne ), lavender ( Lavandula spp.), and Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ).
Is Germander evergreen?
Germander is hardy and evergreen in most regions. It is marginally hardy in some areas of Zones 5 and 6, where winter damage is common. If your germander experiences winter damage, simply prune away dead branches the following spring, and plants will produce new foliage.
Is Germander a good garden plant?
Most germander species tolerate dry conditions, making them ideal for xeriscape gardens. One exception: American germander ( Teucrium canadense ), which is native to North America, grows well in poorly drained soil such as that of rain gardens. Germander is hardy and evergreen in most regions.
Hard Pruning Germander - Pls advise
Hi guys. I inherited a lot of overgrown Germander, which I would like to prune back into a compact hedge shape. The problem is that it's so overgrown that any shaping, let alone getting it into a low hedge, will take it back to hardwood.
Comments (5)
Are you in a hurry? How big are the plants and how small do you want them to be? Three years ago I took over maintaining a local org. demonstration herb garden and it had germander (plus other herbs) that were neglected.
When does creeping Germander bloom?
In warmer winters, creeping germander will perk up and begin to flower very early, and will keep right on blooming right through fall.
What genus is creeping germander?
Various species of creeping germander in the genus Teucrium all do great in Central Texas gardens.
Is a sage plant drought tolerant?
It’s very drought-tolerant, making it the perfect plant to add to your garden if you’re trying to be more water conscious.
Can Germander teucrium grow in full sun?
Plant Teucrium in full sun for best floral display, but if you have a shady spot, it’ll be okay there too . Most species mound to about 6 to 10 inches, but spread much further.
How to get rid of Germander blooms?
Prune off the spent blossoms once the germander finishes blooming. Snip off the spent flowers just below the head and discard them. Use freshly cleaned, sharp pruning shears to prevent infections.
How to grow Germander?
1. Plant germander in a garden bed with full sun exposure and sandy, fast-draining soil. Choose a spot where the soil pH is between 7.0 and 7.9, which is neutral to mildly alkaline. Avoid deep shade and areas with organically rich, acidic soil.
What is the best fertilizer for germander?
Feed germander yearly in spring using general purpose fertilizer with an N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) ratio of 12-12-12 or 10-10-10. Apply the fertilizer at quarter-strength and water thoroughly afterward.
Does Germander withstand drought?
Germander withstands drought and poor, sandy soil with minimal damage, and will thrive despite neglect. However, the plants perform best if provided with regular irrigation, yearly feeding and occasional pruning to invigorate their blooming and foliage production.
How tall is a Germander bush?
This species is also useful in formal designs. Bush germander's specialty is the art form known as topiary . As a larger plant (at least 4 to 6 feet tall and wide; a 7-foot height is possible under ideal conditions), bush germander is a true shrub that gives you the mass you need to sculpt a topiary .
How to grow a sage cutting?
Plant the end of the cutting into a small pot or tray filled with a mixture of perlite and peat moss. Cover the pot loosely with a plastic bag or dome, and set the pot into a bright area but not in direct sunlight. Keep the pot at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and open the bag or remove the cover for a few minutes every few days to allow the cutting to breathe. Water only enough to keep the soil mix damp.
What type of soil does Wall Germander prefer?
It will tolerate poor, sandy soil, provided it is well-drained. Wall germander does well in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, but will protest if planted in very acidic soil, below 6.0 in pH.
Why is my wall germander rusting?
Most problems with wall germander are related to cold temperatures or high moisture levels. These plants can be susceptible to mildew, leaf spot, and rust in humid environments. Providing good air circulation may relieve these problems.
How to propagate a sage plant?
This plant can be propagated by seeds, but rooting stem cuttings is the more common method. Take a 4- to 6-inch cutting from a healthy stem tip, making the cut just below a leaf node. Strip off the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, then dip the end of the cutting into a solution of rooting hormone and water.
Is Wall Germander a shrub?
Wall germander ( Teucrium chamadrys) is a shrubby broadleaf evergreen with a clump-forming habit, grown mostly for its aromatic foliage (it is a member of the mint family). Sometimes categorized as Teucrium x lucidrys, wall germander is one of those old-fashioned plants that does not receive a lot of press nowadays.
Is wall germander a good hedge?
Wall germander makes a good short hedge, clipped in the same manner as boxwood, or can be used as an edging plant. The plants are just the right size to line a walkway or one edge of a flower border with a small hedge. Or if you grow an herb garden and want it to look great, border it with a small hedge of wall germander.
