What does creeping thyme attract?
Butterflies and bees are attracted to Creeping Thyme and use it for food and habitat, lending added interest and benefit to the local ecosystem. Creeping Thyme prefers dry soil and will not thrive with wet roots, so avoid the urge to irrigate regularly. Creeping Thyme prefers well drained soil with a neutral pH (between 6. Creeping thyme is a slow grower and will take more than one season to reach its full potential.Unlike culinary thyme (Thymus vulgaris) varieties that grow into upright shrub-like shapes, creeping thyme is dense and low-growing with a sprawling vine-like growth-habit that spreads to cover the ground like a soft carpet.Creeping thyme has a spicy fragrance making it an excellent choice for s sensory garden and may be used as a lawn substitute or to fill in between pavers. Although it is a member of the thyme family, it is rarely used as a culinary herb. It attracts bees and butterflies and is deer and rabbit resistant.Creeping thyme thrives in zones 4a to 9b, adapting to various climates. Cold tolerance: Survives temperatures as low as -30°F in zone 4a. Ideal conditions: Requires well-drained soil and full sun for optimal growth.
What does creeping thyme look like in winter?
What Does Creeping Thyme Look Like in Winter? In mild climates, Creeping Thyme often remains evergreen, with its foliage staying low and close to the ground. In colder regions, it may turn brown or go dormant, but will regrow from the roots in spring. Thymus serpyllum, known by the common names of Breckland thyme, Breckland wild thyme, wild thyme, creeping thyme, or elfin thyme, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae.Known as Wild Thyme or Mother of Thyme, Creeping Thyme is a brilliant evergreen perennial that creeps its way through garden borders, rock gardens and stone walls. Growing just 2 to 4 tall with a lemony fragrance, it has slightly hairy, deep green leaves through which tiny pinkish to pale purple flowers bloom.Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus Coccineus Group), also known as Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’ or Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’, is a vigorous, mat-forming perennial sub-shrub prized for its vibrant reddish-pink blooms and fragrant foliage.Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’ is a charming, fast-spreading creeping thyme with fuzzy, gray-green foliage and a soft carpet of salmon-pink blooms in summer. Low-growing and aromatic, it’s perfect between pavers or in rock gardens.Creeping Pink thyme, with almost an inch of stem between its sets of leaves, grows much more quickly than say a Pink Chintz Thyme or a Woolly Thyme whose leaves are very close together. The increased stem segment also provides a greater rooting zone for the thyme allowing it to spread faster.
How durable is red Creeping Thyme?
Deer- and rodent-resistant, Creeping Thyme is drought-tolerant once established and really tough. It can handle being walked on, mowed or ignored, and even then it may self-sow and creep some more. Thyme Is a Frost-Tolerant Herb for Your Winter Garden Like the other perennial herbs I’ve mentioned—rosemary, sage, and oregano—your thyme plants will die back during the coldest months and then regrow from the roots as soon as the soil warms back up. Read more tips to grow thyme in the garden.Thyme is a versatile herb that tastes delicious and has countless health benefits. Consider planting it as you prepare for your future spring garden, or grow it in indoor containers year-round!Sage Can Handle Some Wintry Weather. Thyme Is a Frost-Tolerant Herb for Your Winter Garden.All thymes dislike damp conditions, especially in winter, which can cause the roots to rot. So avoid planting in soil that stays damp over winter – instead plant in a raised bed or container. Move containers to a more sheltered spot over winter, out of heavy rain.Poor drainage, sunlight, or age could be the cause. Creeping thyme only lives for about five years, so if that time has passed, the brown leaves could mean the end of its lifespan.
How quickly does creeping thyme grow?
Creeping thyme takes a while to become established, and the plants usually don’t grow much during their first year. However, established plants can spread quickly and stretch 12 to 18 inches wide by their third year. The lifespan of thyme plants averages about 5-6 years. If you notice the plants are beginning to deteriorate, prune the existing plants back hard to rejuvenate them. Monitor for pests and diseases.In regions where winters are cold, plants may lose their foliage, but it will quickly grow back the following spring. To prevent frost or freeze damage during the winter months, cover creeping thyme with several inches of a loose mulch, such as leaf mold.As a creeping thyme native to temperate regions, it prefers temperatures ranging from 41 ℉ (5 ℃) to 95 ℉ (35 ℃). During summer, it requires frequent watering and soil moisture to tolerate the high temperatures. In winter, it can withstand temperatures as low as 23 ℉ (-5 ℃) with a slightly dry soil.Creeping thyme will come from the garden center or nursery as small plants or plugs, which should be planted roughly six to 12 inches apart. During the first year, creeping thyme grows slowly as it establishes, but at approximately three years, it reaches a spread of six to 18 inches, says Abdi.
Where is the best place to plant red Creeping Thyme?
Creeping thyme tolerates partial shade, but full sun (6+ hours a day) is ideal for peak flowering. Next, make sure soil drainage is excellent. Amend the soil with compost, leaf mold or soil conditioner to lighten the structure, adding sand if you have heavy, clay-based soils. Scatter over a seed-starting mix, lightly pressing into the surface as the seeds need light to germinate. Keep the mix consistently moist and provide plenty of light. Germination may take 2-3 weeks, so be patient. Move your creeping thyme seedlings to individual containers once the first 4 true leaves appear.Creeping Pink thyme, with almost an inch of stem between its sets of leaves, grows much more quickly than say a Pink Chintz Thyme or a Woolly Thyme whose leaves are very close together. The increased stem segment also provides a greater rooting zone for the thyme allowing it to spread faster.Spacing: Plant creeping thyme seeds one inch apart. Once seedlings form, transfer the new plants to their final spot, spacing them eight to twelve inches apart. Sunlight: Creeping thyme thrives in full sun, though it can also do well in partial shade.Sprinkling seed of creeping thyme on the ground is rarely successful, although raising plants from seed in pots or trays under cover is a good way to produce a large quantity of plants.