SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea
Sideritis syriaca 'P023S'
SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis syriaca 'P023S') is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Silvery wool-leaved Greek alpine; leaves used historically for herbal tea.
Plant Select®low water8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) fmunoz, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: (unknown), Wikimedia Commons (GFDL)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10–14 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea get?
- It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 10–14 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea?
- Space SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea about 10 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 14 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea hardy on the Front Range?
- SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea deer-resistant?
- SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea a good firewise plant near the house?
- SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea bloom?
- SARADA'S Greek Mountain Tea blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
