Plant of the Month – June
0Creeping Thyme
Thymus praecox ssp. articus
- Plant Form: Groundcover, perennial herb
- Water Use: Very low, low
- Mature Size: 2-3 in. tall x 1.5-2.5 ft. wide
- Exposure: Full sun, part shade
- Bloom Time: Summer (June – August), Fall (Sept)
- Native to: Europe
- Hardiness: Cold hardy to 10°F
This low, mat-forming groundcover is delightful in so many ways; it is low maintenance, low water-using, it attracts butterflies when in bloom, it releases a pleasant fragrance when crushed under light foot traffic, and it softens hard edges of anything from rocks to walls, ledges to dry banks. Let your Creeping Thyme cascade over a container or spread out as a lawn substitute.
Creeping Thyme is a low evergreen ground cover that fits into small spaces but seems to bring big smiles to everyone passing by. It has a pleasant, spicy fragrance when crushed, and it will tolerate light foot traffic to release its scent. The stems spread out horizontally, taking root to form a flat mat, easily spreading over rocks, ledges, or a dry bank. In summer, this mounding plant produces a bounty of lilac or pink flowers that attract butterflies. This low water-use plant is also low maintenance, needing only slight pruning to maintain shape. Creeping Thyme does best in well-drained soils, and suffers in wet or poorly-drained soils. Perfect in pots, between rocks or stepping stones, draping over walls or banks, as a lawn substitute, or in any small area that needs a touch of magic (try it in a fairy garden).
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