Thyme, Wild

One of the best low growing ground covers, forming evergreen dense cushions where the stems creep along the ground rather than rise vertically. Blooming from November through to May with prolific clusters of flowers in shades of mauve. Leaves can be used fresh or dried as a tea, or as an herb in cooking. Milder than regular thyme with fragrant, edible flowers during summer.

There are very few ground covers that can be walked-on, but creeping thyme is one of them. It is suitable as a lawn substitute in small areas, an ideal ground cover to use between stepping-stones or near to patios and walkways. Hardy with good drought tolerance, these low maintenance plants don’t require mowing, watering or care, and can take a lot of abuse. When you step on them, they emit a lovely fragrance.

Because of its low growth habit this diminutive Thyme can be used effectively in the foreground of just about any planting in the landscape. It can be used in borders where it is an excellent ground cover between taller plants. It is especially popular to use in spots where the plants can cascade over a rockery or wall. It is an easy plant to maintain, does not tend to take-over and can easily be confined to a specific area. It tolerates many soil types, including heavy clay. Its leaves can be used as a culinary herb and the flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. A versatile, low maintenance groundcover, its uses in the garden are almost unlimited.

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