(Thymus serpyllum)
One of the best low growing ground covers is Creeping thyme. This versatile plant, Thymus serpyllum, can be used in countless ways to provide color, cut maintenance and its uses in the garden are almost unlimited. Creeping thyme is one of those easy to grow plants that survive nicely with little or no care. It's a low maintenance plant that can take a lot of abuse too!
Creeping thyme is a low-growing (ranges from 1" — 10" in height), wiry-stemmed perennial. It spreads to about 1-1/2'. Bears aromatic leaves and purple flowers in summer.The stems are stiff and woody, while the leaves are small, oval, and gray-green.
Dwarf cultivars such as Pink Chintz only grows to 1" in height. Thymus serpyllum is a 3" tall creeper with purple red flowers.
There are very few ground covers that can be walked-on, but creeping thyme is one of them. So it makes an ideal ground cover. Because of its low growth habit, it can be used effectively in the foreground of just about any planting in the landscape. It is especially popular to use in spots where the plants can cascade over a rockery or fill-in between evergreen plants.
Thyme grows best in a light, well-drained soil. It can be started from seed, cuttings, or division. If started from seed, transplant the seedlings when they are 2" — 3" tall. To propagate from cuttings, take 3" stem pieces from new growth and insert in a well-drained rooting medium. Outdoors, space plants 12" apart in a well-drained soil. New plants should be started every 2 — 3 years because the old ones become too woody and straggly. When the plants are in bloom, cut off 5" — 6" of the flowering tops and dry them in a well-ventilated place.
One of the best low growing ground covers is Creeping thyme. This versatile plant, Thymus serpyllum, can be used in countless ways to provide color, cut maintenance and its uses in the garden are almost unlimited. Creeping thyme is one of those easy to grow plants that survive nicely with little or no care. It's a low maintenance plant that can take a lot of abuse too!
Thyme Distribution
