Discover germanders and grow one!

The word "germander" is a distortion of chamaedrys, whose Greek roots arechamai "soil" and drus "oak tree" because its leaves resemble the leaves of an oak tree. Discover this fascinating plant in brief.

• Germander is a low-lying bushy plant, native to Europe and Southwest Asia.
• It tends to spread, and its straight or curved stems grow to around 10 inches (25 centimetres), and bear oval leaves with stalks and ribs.
• In summer, small, axillary, lipped flowers ranging from magenta to pink appear on the top.
• As an ornamental plant, germanders are suited to low borders, steep slopes, and dry, rocky borders.
• In autumn and in periods of drought, the leaves turn red.

• The part of the plant which is used is the part found above ground.
• Medicine has long used the oak germander. Dioscorides (first century) recommended it to treat colds and asthma, and Culpeper (18th century) considered it to be "effective against brain diseases such as constant headaches, the grand mal [epilepsy], melancholy, drowsiness, sluggish spirits, convulsions and tremors."
• Several cases of hepatitis and liver damage have been diagnosed after taking diet products containing T. chamaedrys. French herbalists have decided to ban the plant, and have since been followed by many other herbalists.
• Before, it was prescribed for digestive complaints, respiratory infections, rheumatism and gout, and it was an ingredient in some weight loss products.

• Germander × lucidrys (Teucrium × lucidrys) is a hybrid of germandersT. chamaedrys and T. lucidum. It is often confused with oak germander T. chamaedrys.
• It is a straight variety, with tanned, shiny dark green leaves, often used in low hedges and ornamental flower beds. It is thus more suitable than the oak germander for these uses.
• There is a variegated form with white cream shoots and sometimes white cream speckled or spotted leaves.
• However, it tends to revert to plain green, and must therefore be reproduced regularly to keep it variegated.
• Canadian germander (T. canadense) is indigenous.
• Two germanders have medicinal properties. The maritime germander (T. marum) looks similar to thyme. It is also called cats' grass, as it has an effect similarto catnip on cats.
• Woodland germander (T. scorodonia) has bitter leaves with a hoppy flavor, once used to flavor beer.
• These species originate in Europe and Southwest Asia.

It enjoys a light, well drained, limestone-neutral soil, and sunlight.

Sow mature seeds. You can also make soft wood cuttings or half cold hardened cuttings in summer, or by division in spring.

Prune plants to shape them in the spring. Cut back after flowering to encourage new bushy growth.

Cut the leaves and tops of the plant when in flower. Hang them to dry.

Discover germander by adding it to your garden and enjoy its medicinal benefits.