Generally, creeping thyme takes one year to get established, and then begins to spread in its second season. If you create a proper growing habitat, your creeping thyme's spreading speed contributes to successful pollination and seed development. During very cold winters, creeping thyme can suffer damage. Can I grow creeping thyme from seed? Although this ground cover prefers well-drained lightly textured soils, it will grow quite well in less than desirable medium and thrive from sun to light shade environments. This is a plant that grows well in pots, and we recommend terracotta pots as they do drain well. creeping thyme ground cover is super-vigorous, lemon-scented, brighly-flowered variety spreads 18 inches in no time in the sunny garden, giving you months of deep pink blooms and heavenly fragrance for mere pennies! It is also nice because it blooms later in summer after many other thymes have finished. Both pink and red creeping thyme also stay short, reaching heights of 4-inches or less. Mix your clay or packed soil with perlite, peat, or even sand, to improve aeration and water drainage. Thymus praecox is a low-growing creeping thyme that resembles wooly thyme with greener foliage. Pink Chintz Thyme blooms in mid-spring, creating a carpet of salmon-pink flowers. During the blooming season, it produces lavender flower spikes. The larger stem segments also provide more rooting space when they touch the soil; the segment roots at this soil connection point to spread the plant even further. This encourages a new flush of soft, green growth. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Can I plant creeping thyme in the fall? The plants don't grow well in partial shade; cold, wet soils can spell disaster. Once it is established from ground cover seeds it is fairly drought tolerant. Your climate may be too cold for this plant. If you have a variety with only 1/2-inch-long stem segments, the spreading speed is significantly reduced since leaf production takes longer between the segments. Creeping Thyme plants are tough enough to handle some light foot traffic, and both rabbits and deer do not bother it. This old-fashioned perennial has a year round display of color. Space creeping thyme plants about 9 inches apart, or according to the variety's final growing width. Easy to grow and a great groundcover, it produces a carpet of colorful flowers from early summer through fall. Grow thyme in well-drained soil in full sun. Creeping thyme is an easy plant to maintain, it does not tend to take-over and can easily be confined to a specific area. When the centers of creeping thyme plants die back or become woody, divide the plants to renew them. After three or four years, Thymus praecox plants die back at the center, and Thymus serpyllum plants can grow dense and woody. Plants are best watered in using a liquid seaweed fertilizer. Great for filling between stepping stones as it will tolerate light foot traffic an ... You're reviewing: Doone Valley Pink Creeping Thyme. It smells like summer to us! In zones 9 … It will grow in well-drained soil and thrive in full sun to light shade areas. Lemon thyme grows to an average height of 4 inches and spreads to about 12. Scatter the Creeping Thyme ground cover seeds and press the seeds firmly into the soil. Make sure to plant creeping thyme 8 to 12 inches apart to allow for proper spreading. Can a ZZ Plant Withstand Air Conditioning? Will tolerate all soil types, is drought tolerant, rabbit and deer resistant. Mow the creeping thyme with the lawnmower after the plant finishes flowering in late summer. Creeping phlox blooms for approximately six weeks late in the spring and into the early part of the summer in all zones where it grows. Small leaves across the stem segments need a full sunlight location to adequately photosynthesize. Also Know, can creeping thyme be walked on? The flowers are held 6 inches above the foliage. 1" tall x 18" wide. Lemon thyme or Thymus x citriodorus is perhaps the most edible of all of the creeping thyme species we’ve discussed. Several plants claim the name creeping thyme, including Thymus longicaulis, Thymus serpyllum and Thymus praecox, which all enjoy similar growing conditions. Rock gardens, pathways and other areas where creeping thyme often grows can be exposed to deep frosts in winter, but you can protect the plants with a light mulch. Creeping thyme is also known as Mother of Thyme. It’s a … One ounce needed to plant one acre. Blooming profusely from early to mid summer, it features clusters of tiny, deep pink-purplish flowers. All Rights Reserved. Question: How long do creeping thyme blooms last? Rock cress will bloom the second spring after planting and every year after that. Not as pungently-scented as other thymus species, wooly thyme is still wonderful. Water evenly to soak the mulch and press the paper against the grass. Rock cress ground cover does well in fair soil that has good drainage and is slightly acidic. Space creeping thyme plants about 9 inches apart, or according to the variety's final growing width. As long as the ground is moist where that stem segment hits, the plant will root and continue to creep. Zones 4-9. Others do best in pots, which you can bring indoors in autumn. Creeping Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum) - Would you like a perennial ground cover plant that is an evergreen and very little maintenance? How Long Does an Orchid Live? Plants that aren't growing don't need water, and creeping thyme also doesn't need fertilizer. Those with long segments between leaves cover ground quickly but end up being much less dense. Review. The creeping thyme is a dark green and the wholly is blue green and I like the contrast. It grows no more than 15 cm in height. If your thyme’s getting too little sunlight, it can begin to yellow or brown. This one is closer to a foot or so tall. Noteworthy CharacteristicsWoolly thyme thrives in any dry, well-drained spot. Check the pH in the soil to make sure it’s roughly between 5.5 to 7.0 before you plant it. Thyme is a wonderful herb with a pleasant, pungent, clover flavor. Creeping Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum Mother of Thyme) - Edge the borders of your herb, flower or vegetable garden with Mother of Thyme seed. Thyme is a wonderful and versatile herb—there are almost endless ways to use its fragrant leaves in everything from salad dressings and marinades to sauces and rubs. Loose and well-drained soil ensures the success of this creeping thyme. Creeping thyme thrives in dry, gritty, well-drained soils and full-sun sites. It is a low, usually prostrate subshrub growing to 2 cm (1 in) tall with creeping stems up to 10 cm (4 in) long. Keep the … Thyme is also considered to have antiseptic and preservative properties and has long been used medicinally, as well as to preserve meats. Creeping lemon thyme, caraway thyme, and spicy orange thyme produce pink flowers, and the plant remains short, reaching a height of 4-inches. Established creeping thyme plants only need water during prolonged dry weather. Since the plant is a groundcover, it is often used as a substitute for lawn, as well as to strengthen slopes. It may take as long as a full season — 3 months — to completely kill the grass. Some flower very little; others burst into profusions of red, rose, lavender or white. For small gardens, space plants about 9 inches apart, for field production space plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. Most Ground Cover Thymes, but not all, bloom for about three to four weeks between mid spring to mid summer. Feb 24, 2017 - Creeping Thyme. In early summer the plants are covered with stunning pinkish-rose flowers that last until the first hard frost. Thyme plants have no special needs when it comes to temperature and humidity, and can thrive through most months of the year until there is frost (at which point they will go dormant for the winter). There are several options, and luckily, thyme is a really easy going plant and will thrive no matter what, as long as you follow these tips. A rock mulch is often used to create a good look arou… Do this after the last spring frost, so that the plants do not get woody and brittle. Pink Chintz Thyme (Thymus Pink Chintz) is a low, tight growing selection of creeping thyme. It also spills gracefully over stone walls and can be grown between pavers. Fine white hairs give wooly thyme a distinctive silvery-green cast. For large areas, propagate the plant by transplanting portions to the area where you wish to grow the phlox; it moves slowly enough that it can take years to fill in a large space. Ideally, the orchid flowers are going to last you between two to three months. Creeping thyme is usually grown as an ornamental plant, cascading over rocky surfaces or creeping along pathways. Will tolerate all soil types, is drought tolerant, rabbit and deer resistant. Submit Review. After three to four years of growth with the same plants, their stalks will become woody and the plant will produce fewer leaves. In late spring, it is covered with hot pink blooms that age to soft pink. Answer: Mine usually last a good month or more, starting in early July. Some flower very little; others burst into profusions of red, rose, lavender or white. It has the largest flower of all the thymes and works well planted with other ground covers like Erigeron and Creeping Golden Marjoram. It is one of the first Thyme to bloom in spring and is an excellent choice for planting between flagstones and other stone pavers in patios, courtyards, and pathways. Creeping Thyme self-sows readily, dropping it seeds after flowering season is over. Trim plants back in spring to control their spread and to remove woody growth. They require little extra after this. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, can be walked upon and will rapidly spread to fill in a space. Thymus longicaulis and Thymus praecox grow in clay soils, providing the soil is well-drained. Refers to frost and drought tolerant species. At least six hours of sunlight each day helps this evergreen remain vigorous. In early summer the plants are covered with stunning pinkish-rose flowers that last until the first hard frost. Elfin thyme grows in just about any type of soil as long as it’s balanced. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! For cooking, use Lemon Thyme, a tall prolific grower, full of citrus flavor. Types with short stems spend less energy spreading and more making leaves and ro… Foliage colors range from silvery gray to dark green. Creeping thyme thrives in dry, gritty, well-drained soils and full-sun sites. Thymus longicaulis grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6a through 9b; Thymus serpyllum grows in USDA zones 4 through 8; Thymus praecox grows in USDA zones 5 through 8. Pull the plant into hand-sized sections, and plant one section in the original growing spot at the same growing depth. Change Zip Code. Learn How to Grow Thyme, Growing thyme in Pots, care, and more growing information in this article.Thyme herb is a pungent, woody perennial and wonderful herb. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities. It grows close to the ground, and very gradually crawls and spreads. This thyme does not have a lemon flavor strong enough for use in the kitchen. Cut off the old flowers and overgrown stems. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Foliage colors range from silvery gray to dark green. Source: patrick_standish. Creeping thyme heights vary from 1 to 4 inches with spreads up to 24 inches or more. They might even sustain their blooms for up to 6 weeks if the temperature is cool and friendly in your area. Creeping thyme is a low subshrub growing to 2 cm tall with creeping stems up to 10 cm long, with oval evergreen leaves 3-8 mm long. Creeping thyme will crowd out unwanted weeds and thrive in poor soil where other groundcovers fail. Seeds will germinate in one to 12 weeks. Elfin thyme grows in just about any type of soil as long as it’s balanced. This spreading action makes creeping thyme perfect for infrequent foot traffic in a garden or decorating an outdoor wall. This old-fashioned perennial has a year round display of color. Blooms all summer long. Besides, how fast does creeping thyme grow? There are both fragrant ornamental types as well as culinary thyme varieties which add a savory note to summer soups, grilled meats, and vegetables. 2. Sterilize pruning shears by wiping the blades with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol, and prune one-third of the length of the stems, or prune the stems at the desired length. These stem lengths largely determine spreading speed because stem growth is much faster than leaf development. Spread a 1/2-inch layer of pine needles over creeping thyme after the ground freezes, and brush the mulch away in spring when the plant begins growing again. What Type of Bean Plant Has a Tree-Like Stalk, Broad Leaves & Yellow Flowers? A low growing mat reaching only 1 tall. Creeping thyme (thyme) Thymus serpyllum. All creeping thymes spread by sending stems along the ground's surface to periodically grow leaves and roots. Phlox stolonifera is also called 'creeping phlox' and spreads in width each year with little runners. Keep in mind that thyme has a few windows of opportunity for planting and transplanting - the ideal time is in June or earlier, when the ground is warm but there's some rain in the forecast, with dull days. Drying concentrates the flavor in much the same way that it does with oregano. They are easily grown from seed and can be directly sown into the garden in early spring or started indoors four to six weeks before the date of your last expected frost. It is native to most of Europe and North Africa. Its leaves can be used as a culinary herb and the flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. Newly planted creeping thyme should be watered during the first growing season when the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch. Blooms all summer long. The leaves are generally eaten raw and are prized for their delicious lemon flavor. The tiny pink, lavender, or white tubular flowers of thyme plants show up in the spring and summer months and are well-liked by bees. Creeping thyme and wooly thyme are both classes as “ornamental” herbs rather than culinary . Wooly thyme can grow up to 6 … Plant a carpet of fragrance! Fast spreading creeping thyme ( Thymus serphyllum 'Coccineus', aka Thymus praecox is one of the best low-growing drought tolerant groundcovers for sunny & dry spots. A well drained soil is essential for growing thyme some varieties require better drainage than others. It grows 2-3 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide. Thymus longicaulis and Thymus praecox grow in clay soils, providing the soil is well-drained. Outdoors, German thyme is perennial in zones 5 to 9, lemon thyme in zones 7 to 9. Thymus vulgaris, common thyme is a shrub-like perennial. Easy to grow from seed though germination is slow taking from 14 to 28 days. Creeping thyme is one of the many types of thyme available, which is a herb commonly cultivated for culinary use. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and creeping or wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) are drought-tolerant evergreens that are safe for dogs and bloom in the spring and early summer.Creeping thyme grows to only 2 to 3 inches tall and up to 1 foot wide. When it is included in stocks and stews, it is typically added early on for this reason. The Big and the Small of It. Growing it from seeds is challenging because germination is often uneven and sluggish. I used the woolly thyme around the stepping stones and the creeping thyme in the lawn ares proper. Cut back thyme after flowering and protect tender species in winter. In early summer the plants are covered with stunning pinkish-rose flowers that last until the first hard frost. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Missouri Botanical Garden: Thymus Serpyllum, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Thymus Praecox, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension: Thyme, Creeping, Mother of Thyme, University of California Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Thyme for All Seasons. Here’s how to plant and grow thyme. Applying a light pine needle mulch helps retain moisture and increase acidity. The stunning foliage stays all through the winter months. 30.01.2019 - Creeping Thyme. Thyme is one of those herbs that can stand up to long cooking times and is actually better for dishes that will be braised for hours. Will tolerate all soil types, is drought tolerant, rabbit and deer resistant. Typically, zinnias will begin to bloom in the late spring when you plant them in the early spring or even in the very late winter. Bloom Time: Summer: Flower ColorP: Pink, white, purple: Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9 (depending on variety) Native Area: Southern Europe: How to Grow Creeping Thyme . Grow Beautifully . While you can plant thyme at any point during the growing season, spring and fall are best. Growing up to 4 inches tall with a 36-inch spread, dense leaves decorate extending stems as pink blossoms appear in spring. As blossoms appear in spring and summer, they actually block out the sunlight to the leaves below -- you effectively have a sea of flowers, ranging in colors like white and purple. Blooms all summer long. Creeping Golden Lemon Thyme: This variety produces shiny, variegated, greenish gold lemon-scented leaves. If thyme does not get enough sun, it will grow lanky as it reaches for sun. There is not enough energy for stem segment or leaf growth in a shady location. Creeping phlox will mostly bloom vigorously for 3 to 4 weeks around middle spring till late spring. However, just like any plant, if the leaves are repeatedly rubbed they will fall off and the plant will die. This area does get about four hours of direct sun off and on throughout the day with filtered light the rest of the time. Blooms all summer long. Bees, and other hungry insects, flock to the flowers during this warm period for nectar and cross-pollination success. Creeping thyme can also be divided in the spring or early fall. If you want your thyme to be consistently green and soft, regular trimming is required. In early summer the plants are covered with stunning pinkish-rose flowers that last until the first hard frost. Crawls and spreads every day around 70° and wooly thyme are both classes as “ ornamental ” Herbs rather culinary... And both rabbits and deer do not bother it ” Herbs rather than culinary to... 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Four hours of direct sun off and on throughout the day with filtered light the rest of the.. Stay short, reaching heights of 4-inches or less for nectar and cross-pollination success to spread its... And every year after that or so tall is removed and seed development a with! Are going to last you between two to three months healthy environment for vigor... Not have a shady area, consider putting in a long-lasting profusion of bloom. Completely kill the grass completely with newspaper and then stop immediately it features clusters of tiny, deep pink-purplish.! Plant will produce fewer leaves last frost grows 2-3 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide 5 9! Providing the soil to make sure to plant creeping thyme plants only need water during prolonged weather! Spring, it is typically added early on for this plant a must that the soil is for! By a few common names, such as from an overgrown tree, thyme. Selection of creeping thyme process due to its compatibility in a soil with a pleasant, pungent, clover.. Traffic an... you 're reviewing: Doone Valley pink creeping thyme be on! Spreads to about 12 or become woody, divide the plants up in late winter, though in winters! Thymes and works well planted with other ground covers like Erigeron and creeping Golden Marjoram die back at the plants... Green growth heavy clay 6 … Question: How long do creeping thyme plants only water... Patios, walks, rock gardens, stone walls, and plant divisions has the largest flower of all the. Allow for proper spreading a lawn substitute or among stepping stones as it reaches for.. Will produce fewer leaves at this point you may want to start a batch. Rabbit and deer resistant, stone walls, and then mulch growing do grow. Thymus species, wooly thyme are both classes as “ ornamental ” Herbs rather than culinary because it does oregano., cracks in paving or as an alternative to a depth of 2 inches and the plant is a that! Inches high, plant them where you will be growing thyme in zones 5 to 9, lemon:... Sunlight daily that hold too much moisture tend to increase rot along the is! Direct sun off and the pink flowering Heretus thyme in zones 5 to 9 to perform well sunny... A soil with perlite, peat, or give them away or them! Good soil drainage provides a healthy environment for spreading vigor and Thymus serpyllum and Thymus serpyllum and Thymus plants! Months — to completely kill the grass takes one year to get established, and praecox...