Thanks, Judy. Just the answer I was hoping for.

I won't get rid of mine, but rather transplant them to another area where the bees can buzz around all they like. And they can spread all they want.

I have a raised bed with rugosa roses in it along my alley. The Rugosas are doing well, but the bed could use some lower filler along the edge that lines the alley (faces south). Something tough and drought tolerant. And evergreen would be lovely since the rugosas are so bare in the winter. I think the germander would be just the ticket!

Glad to hear the other types are doing well for you. Maybe I'll be able to locate some for my garden. I have no idea where I bought the ones I have, but I do know I rarely see them for sale, which is a shame.

I hope this post will stir some interest in Germander among other gardeners, 'cause I think they are great plants.

Daphne in Tacoma

Sounds like a great plant - I am going to look for it in the spring. I especially like the fact that it is frangrant or aromatic.

I sell quite a lot of it - mostly Teucrium chamaedrys, the lower growing evergreen shrublet. It makes a great border plant, often used as an edger for knot or herb gardens. Sold a bunch to one customer who intended to use it as a low growing hedge in place of boxwood (hard to argue with that idea!). It takes pruning beautifully and I recommend shearing it back several times a season to keep it within bounds and dense and compact - doesn't seem to affect blooming at all.

I also sell bush germander, T. fruticans, which I find to be a tad bit more picky and a much bigger and rangier shrub all around.

These are plants of mediterranean origin, much like lavender, and prefer a similar growing situation. I have also found that, like lavender, a mature, well established plant is not very happy about being transplanted although it can be done. Full sun, excellent drainage and a not overly rich soil will produce the best results.

GardenGal, are you sure you aren't named Daryll? A year and a half ago I bought a bunch of Teucrium chamaedrys to use as a low growing hedge in place of boxwood. Sounded awfully familiar. I actually cleared out the stock at my local nursery.

I planted about 14 or 15 plant along my front walk and steps and love it. Mine doesn't get any morning sun, but full, blazing afternoon and evening sun. It tends to be a little droopy, which I believe is because of the morning shade. I love the greenery on this plant, and in bloom it's really pretty. I want to expand my hedge to the long strip up the side of my driveway and I'm hoping to lift tiny starts in the spring for that purpose.

Mine attracts bumblebees, which hasn't been a problem even though it's right along my main walkway. They're peaceful little bees who totally ignore us. Live and let live, I say.

I can't seem to find a photo in bloom, but here's one from June of this year. It's the plant along the walkway in front of the steps.
{{gwi:1093590}}

Like Daphne, I did a search for Teucrium and was surprised how little mention there was. I planted Teucrium hyrcanicum 'Purple Tails' last summer, and it was wonderful. The flower spikes were there for months, and it kept putting up new ones. When I cut the spikes for my indoor vases, they lasted for up to two weeks! What a great perennial. I want more! Anyone know how they handle division?

I moved mine last fall and it is doing just fine. It was getting too large for my rockery so I moved it back about 3 feet to give it more room. It survived the move without any problems. I have the Crispum variety with the curly leaves. I really like it as well. A very carefree plant.