About

A bushy evergreen shrublet to 20cm in height, becoming spreading and more open with age, with small, bright yellow, lemon-scented leaves and erect, interrupted spikes of tiny pale lilac flowers.

About the genus

Thymus are evergreen woody-based perennials, shrub or sub-shrubs with small aromatic leaves and terminal whorls of small, 2-lipped, tubular, purple, pink or white flowers in late spring or summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage

Care notes

CultivationEasy to grow in most well-drained alkaline to neutral soils in full sun
PruningPruning group 10
PropagationPropagate by division in spring. Semi-hardwood cuttings may be taken in mid- to late-summer although some bottom heat may be required
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-ree
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free