About
An evergreen, mat-forming sub-shrub. Finely-hairy, trailing stems bear linear to elliptic to oval mid-green leaves. Whorls of two-lipped white flowers are borne 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 typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbs - Culinary, Shrubs
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most well-drained alkaline to neutral soils in full sun. Suitable for rock garden or paving crevices, where they release their fragrance when trodden on. Attractive to bees
PruningTrim after flowering to retain compactness
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings or softwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free