About
A mat-forming, evergreen sub-shrub with finely hairy, trailing stems that bear small, aromatic, mid-dark green leaves. Whorls of tiny reddish-pink flowers appear in summer.
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 typeLoam, Chalk, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Herbs - Culinary
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun. Won't tolerate wet or waterlogged conditions. Will tolerate drought and poor soil. See thyme cultivation for more information
PruningCut back after flowering to maintain compactness
PropagationPropagate by division and semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free