Caucasian germander

Caucasian germander: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Loose, upright clump 50–60 cm tall and about 40 cm wide.

Stem

Upright and square, as in all members of the mint family; often tinged purple.

Foliage

Oval to lance-shaped, dark green, softly hairy with a slightly toothed edge.

Flower

Narrow, dense spikes of small lipped flowers, from June to September.

Colour

Purple to violet-pink.

Flowering: June–September · Plants: March–May and September · Pruning: March and July

Why grow it?

• Flowers from June to September with narrow purple spikes, a long season for an ordinary perennial.
• Tolerates drought and a sunny, lean spot.
• Bees and bumblebees visit the flowers.
• Fills the summer border without much maintenance.
• The purple spikes go well with yellow and pink flowers.

Caucasian germander: where does it grow best?

• Full sun: it flowers best and stays compact.
• Well-drained soil: sand or loam, acid to chalky. Lean to moderately fertile is ideal.
• Dry to reasonably moist; it tolerates drought but not wet soil in winter.
• Allow about 40 cm between plants.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.6 m tall, 0.4 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -20 °C)

Goes well with

• Yarrow: Yellow or pink flower heads contrast nicely with the purple spikes.
• Lavender: Suits the same dry, sunny spot and adds scent.
• Stonecrop: Pink flower heads in late summer in the same sun.
• Blue fescue: A low, blue-grey grass that frames the spikes at the front.

Caucasian germander: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September.

1. Plant in March–May or in September, when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged. Spring is the safest.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball; on heavy soil, mix in sand or fine grit.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot, with the top of the root ball level with the soil.
4. Leave 40 cm between plants.
5. Water thoroughly straight away and keep the soil lightly moist in the first season.
6. Spread a thin layer of grit or compost around the plant, keeping the crown clear.

Care

Water

In the first year water weekly in dry weather. After that it manages alone; water only in a long drought.

Feeding

Usually not needed. Over-rich soil gives soft growth and fewer flowers.

Deadheading

Cut off spent spikes: new spikes follow until September.

Support

Usually not needed; in rich soil it may flop a little.

Dividing

Dividing the clump every 3–4 years in spring keeps it vigorous.

Tip: Cut spent spikes back in July to above the next pair of leaves: you get new spikes until September. Make sure the soil is well drained; wet winters are its greatest enemy.

Caucasian germander: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and July.

When: In March, before the new shoots come through; in July, the spent spikes.

How:

• In March, cut the old stems back to about 5–10 cm above the ground.
• In July, cut spent spikes back to above the next pair of leaves: this encourages new spikes.
• Now and then, remove dead or broken stems at the base.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April: cut the clump with a spade into pieces with roots and shoots and replant at once.

Cuttings

In May–June: take 8–10 cm cuttings from non-flowering shoots, remove the lower leaves and root them in moist cutting compost. They root in a few weeks.

Seed

Sow in spring in seed trays or in a seedbed outdoors. Cultivars such as ‘Purple Tails’ do not always come true from seed.

Caucasian germander: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −20 °C.

• Hardy down to about −20 °C: frost is rarely the problem, wet soil in winter is.
• Make sure drainage is good; on heavy clay, plant on a slight mound or mix sand into the planting hole.
• Leave the old stems standing until March: they protect the base from frost.
• In a pot: use soil with plenty of sand or grit and put it under the eaves to avoid too much rain.

Diseases and pests

• Root rot: After a wet winter the plant does not reappear. Plant in free-draining soil on a slight mound.
• Slugs: They eat young shoots in spring. Collect them in the evening and protect young plants.
• Soft growth: On over-rich soil or with too little sun. Plant in full sun and do not feed.
• Powdery mildew: White powder on the leaves, mostly in dry weather and when plants are too close together. Give space and water at the base.

Through the year

• March: Cut the old stems back to 5–10 cm. Plant or divide.
• April: Plant or divide. Watch for slugs.
• May: Plant. Take cuttings from late May.
• June: Flowering begins. In the first year, water in dry weather.
• July: Cut spent spikes back for a second flush.
• August: Flowering. Water in a long drought.
• September: Last flowers. Planting is still possible.
• October: Leave the stems. Check drainage.
• November: Dormant. Keep the crown dry.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Butterflies

Nectar for butterflies.

Did you know?

• The genus name Teucrium refers, according to tradition, to Teucer, a legendary king of Troy.
• The species name hircanicum refers to Hyrcania, the region south-east of the Caspian Sea.
• Germanders belong to the mint family, like sage, lavender and mint; they have square stems.