PlantFiles: Shrubby Germander, Tree Germander
Teucrium fruticans

Has survived winter temperatures in the lower teens (°F) without protection. I suspect it requires the excellent drainage I had given mine to achieve this extra hardiness. My specimen plant grew to 5' tall by 6' wide. Tried transplanting this one in late winter 2006 without success. New site did not have excellent drainage.

I'm growing this in a container in Zone 8a this year. I agree with ShadowsChaseMe's excellent description...the distinctive steely-grey foliage and white stem is a welcome addition to the few silver plants which don't mind our hot muggy summers. joshz8a

This is a relatively new species, with fantastic potential here in Australia and other dry zones, so much so that the botanical gardens here in my city are using it as a new border specimen plant on their perimeter.

T. fruticans has beautiful shimmery sliver foliage which is white underneath, and violet coloured flowers. The leaves are simple, and fairly small (about 2cm X 1cm) and spaced out about 3cm apart along the unique square stem. Leaves are ever so slightly fuzzy, grey/blue on top, and brilliantly white underneath. The clearly visible stem is also white underneath, and only slightly greyer above. The purple flowers are delicate, bell shaped, with one recurved side, protruding stamens, and hang pendulously, about 2cm (1 inch) long by 1.2 cm wide. Very much like an eremophila flower.

The new growth shoots out on pointy white stems and looks stunning, though some say this can get untidy, so I suppose you need to keep it well shaped. My stem cuttings, about 20cm long, are taking well, not having wilted at all. Marvelous.