Robust, flowering and bee-friendly, this is how the Germander can be described in a nutshell. Its strong growth paired with undemanding care makes it a versatile minibush. Do the shoots have to be kept in check with scissors?

Germander can be trimmed as a shrub or small hedge

The Evergreen Germander

The evergreen germander forms slightly woody shoots and can therefore be easily shaped with secateurs. Since this variety only shoots a few offshoots, the plant stays nice and compact for a long time.

  • Cut back all shoots in autumn
  • on a length of approx. 10 cm
  • pull out all disturbing offshoots

Evergreen Germander as a hedge

Evergreen Germander is popular as a low hedge because it can be easily shaped, for example as a border for beds. The hedge, like individual specimens, is severely shortened in autumn and freed from foothills. In addition to reducing the height, the hedge is shaped from all sides in the fall.

If shape cuts are to keep a clear contour throughout, they even have to be cut twice a year. But then the flowers have to be sacrificed.

Prevent baldness

If a germander plant doesn't have to have a specific shape, it doesn't necessarily need to be pruned. However, over the years it can become more and more bald, since little light penetrates the interior. At this point at the latest, the plant should be cut back radically to 10 cm so that it then sprout freshly.

Turn clippings into cuttings

Whenever you prune your Germander, the clippings are ideal propagation material. It is recommended to plant each cutting in a separate pot. Of course, that involves some work.

In practice, however, it has been shown that Germander cuttings even take root if they are simply planted in the garden soil without going through pots. In this way, any gaps in the hedge can be closed wonderfully and, above all, inexpensively after cutting.

The winter-green noble Germander

The evergreen noble germander spreads strongly through runners. If its spread is desired only to a certain area, then a lot of work awaits the owner. The new offshoots are not cut, but ripped out of the ground together with the roots. This can be done throughout the year if required. Cutting all remaining shoots, on the other hand, should be done after flowering in September. The same applies here: All shoots are cut back to 10 cm.

Category:

Herbs