About
Thymus praecox 'Coccineus' is a cultivar in the genus Thymus (family Lamiaceae) valued for its seasonal summer flowering. It blooms from June to September. The cultivar is used where a low-growing thyme is required, bringing summer blossom to gravel, rockery and edging situations.
About the genus
The genus Thymus contains about 350 species of aromatic perennial herbaceous plants and subshrubs in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean area of Europe, North Africa and Turkey.
Wikipedia contributors, "Thymus (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Thymus (plant)
In the garden
Thymus praecox 'Coccineus' sits in the genus Thymus within the Lamiaceae and is a named cultivar chosen for its summer display. Flowering occurs from June to September, so the plant contributes colour through the warm months. As a member of Thymus, it behaves as a compact ground-level thyme suited to close planting where small-scale flowers are wanted. Aim for a site that gives good drainage and an open aspect; thymes perform poorly in permanently wet soil. Planting into gritty or free-draining mixes or on raised gravel banks reduces the risk of winter saturation. A light trim after flowering encourages a tidy profile and removes spent growth; avoid cutting back into old, leafless wood. Use 'Coccineus' where a low mound is required: between paving slabs, at the front of a border, in a rock garden or in a shallow container. When placed where the summer flowers are visible, its flowering period from June to September is the most distinctive seasonal feature to plan for in a UK garden.