Teucrium × lucidrys

Hedge Germander

A compact evergreen perennial with aromatic foliage, summer flowers and excellent drought tolerance.

Teucrium × lucidrys forms a neat mound of small, glossy dark-green leaves, topped with clusters of rosy-pink to pink-purple flowers through summer. The flowers are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, while the evergreen foliage gives useful structure long after flowering has finished. RHS

Best in full sun and well-drained soil, Teucrium is particularly well suited to dry, sunny borders, gravel gardens and edging paths. Its naturally compact, bushy habit also makes it a lovely informal alternative to box for low edging. Once established, it copes very well with heat and dry conditions, but dislikes sitting wet through winter. RHS

• Height: Approx. 30cm

• Spread: Approx. 40–50cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, ideally neutral to alkaline

• Flowering: June to August/September

• Flower colour: Rosy pink

• Foliage: Evergreen, aromatic

• Hardiness: H4, hardy through most of the UK

• Wildlife: Excellent for bees and other pollinators

• Habit: Low, bushy and spreading

• Uses: Front of borders, gravel gardens, edging and low hedging RHS

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting

A particularly useful choice for sunny, free-draining Isle of Wight gardens, including coastal and drought-prone planting. It is a good option where you want something low and evergreen without relying on regular summer watering. Avoid planting in heavy ground where it may remain wet over winter. RHS

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range

• Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ – airy white flowers provide height and movement behind the compact Teucrium.

• Salvia ‘Caradonna’ – upright violet-blue flower spikes give a strong contrast to its low rounded habit.

• Achillea ‘Lilac Beauty’ – soft lilac-pink flowerheads continue the drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly theme.

• Stipa tenuissima – fine, flowing foliage softens the planting and works beautifully in dry sunny schemes.

• Eryngium planum ‘Fluela’ – architectural blue flowers and silvery tones contrast with Teucrium's dark evergreen foliage.

• Erigeron karvinskianus – ideal along the same border edge, adding a looser scattering of small daisy flowers.

🌟 The Green Standard Tip

Give Teucrium × lucidrys a light trim after flowering or in early spring to keep it compact and encourage dense, bushy growth. If you're growing it primarily for pollinators, allow it to flower freely rather than clipping it regularly as a hedge.