Teucrium canadense (American Germander) Unity Grown

Teucrium canadense, also called American germander, is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial wildflower that grows to 18-36" tall and wide. Noted for its showy, upright spikes of white and purple flowers in the summer months through the early fall, American germander is a member of the mint family, and has fragrant, slightly hairy leaves that are often referred to as smelling like basil or sage. The upright flower flower spikes of Teucrium canadense resemble those of many sages, with profuse pale pink to lavender tube-shaped flowers that are highly attractive to a number of pollinator species and evening hummingbirds.

Although American germander was once used as an herbal medicine like many mint relatives, its foliage has been found to contain several compounds that can result in liver damage over time; as such, it is more commonly used as a deer and rabbit deterrent in wildflower meadows and garden beds today. Teucrium canadense grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers medium-moist, well draining soils, though it's not too picky about soil consistency. Largely found in the wild in low-lying meadows and along clearcuts in the US today, American germander is a hardy perennial wildflower that will add a pop of color and an excellent fragrance to pollinator gardens, small beds, borders, and even forest edge environments.