![]() ![]() Thyme is a good friend to many other garden cultivars.Īs a small flowered herb, it attracts hoverflies that will provide a check against aphids. Every three years or so, severely cut back thyme plants in spring to encourage new tender growth. PruningĪfter several seasons, thyme has a tendency to become excessively woody and loosely branched. That said, working a bit of compost into the soil at planting time won’t harm plants any and will provide them with an extra boost. Thyme is well adapted to nutrient starved soils and shouldn’t need any fertilizer throughout the growing season. Thyme is incredibly drought-tolerant and should only be given a drink when the soil is bone dry. Water your thyme plants sparingly – every other week or once per month depending on rainfall. Thyme will grow best in conditions that mimic its homeland – loose, sandy, or rocky soils with excellent drainage. #Thyme plant full#Plant thyme in a spot that receives full sun. Thyme is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Thyme is very easy to grow and has only two demands: lots of sun and good drainage. ![]() From June to July, it provides a stunning display of deep pink blossoms that completely overtake the green foliage. Wild thyme ( Thymus serpyllum) is a dwarf shrub and creeper with a minty fragrance, though the leaves are rarely used in cooking. Masses of showy rose-to-lilac colored flowers top the foliage from June to September. Woolly thymeĬreeping thyme ( Thymus praecox) is a small, mat-forming low grower that is great as garden edging and as a filler between stepping stones. Though the foliage is fairly fragrance-free, plants will bear pale pink flowers from June to July. Woolly thyme ( Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a sprawling ground cover with soft and furry hairs all over the leaves and stems. Lemon thyme ( Thymus × citriodorus) is another delicious edible variety with strong citrus scented leaves. ![]() Here are a few more popular thyme varietals: Varieties of ThymeĪlthough common thyme is the dominant culinary herb, there are more than 300 species of thyme grown mainly for their ground covering and ornamental qualities. In the Middle Ages, warriors were gifted thyme leaves before heading into battle and it was often placed on coffins to assure passage into the next life. The origin of its name is derived from the Greek word thumos which means courage. Due to its natural antibacterial properties, bandages were soaked in thyme oil to assist the healing process. Ancient Egyptians used it for embalming, Greeks burned it as incense, and Romans for flavoring cheese and liqueurs. Thyme has been used for centuries as food, medicine, and fragrance. Flowers are tiny and tubular, and act as a magnet for bees and butterflies. The attractive foliage is highly fragrant, especially just before plants begin to flower.įrom May to July, thyme bears masses of pretty blooms in white, pink, or lavender hues. It’s indigenous to southern Europe and northern Africa and favors the dry, rocky soils of the Mediterranean.įorming mounds 6 to 12 inches tall, thyme’s woody stems are clad in small pointed gray-green leaves. About ThymeĬommon thyme ( Thymus vulgaris) is a woody, perennial, evergreen herb in the mint family. Flavor-wise, it lands somewhere between lavender and rosemary.įor many, thyme perfectly encapsulates the fragrance of summertime. The aroma of thyme is pleasant and complex – peppery and a little sweet with woody, earthy, minty and flowery notes. ![]()
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