Friday Favorite: Creeping Thyme
In Ohio I had a lot of varieties of creeping thyme, from the super micro variety that grows less than a centimeter tall, to the variety that’s about 6-8 inches tall. I started adding a few varieties to the potager and between the rocks by our front door. They are filling in nicely and providing a lot of interest, for both us and the pollinators.
One thing I love about thyme is that it thrives in difficult locations. The space between these rocks grew weeds and was a bit of an eyesore if not kept weeded or clipped. I figured thyme would be perfect to fill in and thrive in these difficult conditions. I have four different varieties in here so far, purple flowers, white flowers, wooly thyme, and a very low growing thyme was just planted in another section.
Thyme is a favorite plant of mine, I find that it seems to always be of great use in places other plants might not work. The fact that it blooms beautifully, comes in a wide variety of heights, bloom colors, and textures is another benefit. It spreads nicely (without becoming invasive) and divides very easily which means you can end up with lots of plants from one initial plant. When you add the food in provides for pollinators it rounds out as a perfect plant. If you don’t have any in your garden, try to find a spot to tuck one in. If you know a gardener that has some, ask them for a division.
I even planted a few of the taller varieties under the front porch door, it’s a weird spot and grows weeds. If it get enough sunlight, the thyme will love the dryness of this location. Later this summer I’ll post photos if it survives and thrives. At the moment it’s looking good and I have confidence it will be the perfect way to add something delightful where a problem existed, just like between these big rocks.
What’s your favorite hard working plant in the garden?
Filed under Around the Garden | Comments (8)
I discovered that wild thyme grows all over the ball fields in the village, where I’ve been spending a lot of time watching my sons play baseball and T-ball games. My youngest son entertains himself–since he’s too young to play–by eating some of it when we’re there. Unfortunately, he also offers it to the small babies in attendance–he’s fascinated with babies–which is understandably a little worrisome to their mothers an requires a little explanation from me. Unfortunately, the thyme doesn’t seem to grow wild around our house, which is only 7 miles, but higher in elevation and much colder than the village.
to kristin@going country's comment
The thyme that you gave me is spreading very nicely along the edge of my perennial garden. It’s not flowering yet,but the mounded foliage is beautiful.
to Joan Ray's comment
It blooms a little later than these shorter varieties, plus the rocks collect heat and make this thyme bloom ahead of the rest of the thyme in the garden. Your bees are going to LOVE that thyme when it blooms.
to Susy's comment
I agree, I love creeping thyme! We have two large clumps of it in our flower beds and it is an excellent ground cover!
to Misti's comment
What beautiful stones you have for your walkway and made even more beautiful with the creeping thyme growing between them. Years ago, we ripped out a huge turf lawn that we were no longer using and replaced it with Elfin creeping thyme, so we now have a Thyme lawn and we love it. No more mowing, watering or fertilizing. It stays green here year round and when it blooms (which is now) is it just alive with bumble bees! Can’t think of a harder working or more beautiful ground cover! :)
to Chris's comment
Sounds beautiful!
to Susy's comment
Susy, I don’t have a favorite hard working garden plant …. until now. This is the reason why I always like to read your posts. They are always touching on the way to improve tough garden areas. Thank you so much for always sharing your discoveries.
I’m just back from a 10 day vacation so there’s much to do in the garden.
Have a great Maine Creeping Thyme day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
only since I started cooking/gardening was I able to identify the smell of thyme – my family has a “camp” and it had lots of creeping/wild thyme, which I just LOVED the smell of.
Makes me smile every time. And so does Nebraska Dave!
to Mandie's comment