Caraway thyme, creeping lemon thyme, and spicy orange thyme, suit gardens, and growing environments in USDA zones 5 to 9. Here are a few of the favorite types found in gardens across the United States. Invasive plants such as English ivy, Japanese pachysandra, and vinca should not be planted as they are known to move into and take over natural areas. Golden creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea') is even more tempting to grow. It requires full sun and excellent drainage to perform well in the garden. Foliage colors range from silvery gray to dark green. Although the leaves are aromatic, they are rarely used in cooking. It is excellent planted as a lawn substitute or among stepping stones or pavers to create a living patio. Our communities. Native Ground Covers of Western Pennsylvania for Lawn Alternatives (note that the Creeping Thyme is native to Europe) North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development: Riparian Buffer The thymus genus is a large group, all of which are perennial plants in moderate climates. Creeping Thyme: USDA Zone: 2-9: Plant number: 1.515.500. Natural Areas Conservation Training Program, Black walnut toxicity (plants tolerant of), Preventing construction damage to trees and shrubs, Trees and shrubs for the four seasons landscape, Sudden Oak Death, Ramorum Blight and Phytophthora ramorum, Eastern United States Wetlands Collection. Within a submenu, use escape to move to top level menu parent. All creeping thymes spread by sending stems along the ground's surface to periodically grow leaves and roots. Creeping Thyme is easily divided in spring or early fall, and even small pieces will take root and grow. White creeping thyme (Thymus praecox 'Albus'): White flowers. Creeping Baby's Breath. Can take light foot traffic. Great to use in herb or rock garden. English thyme is the most popular variety of the herb, and it’s also known as garden or common thyme. Thyme is a popular herb used in cooking. This plant is considered an invasive species in some habitats, and tends to thrive in disturbed sites that are shady and poorly drained. Creeping thyme, woolly thyme, mother of thyme. Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM It grows well in poor soils as well as alkaline sites. Rich in nectar, they attract butterflies. After the sprigs dry out completely, store the leaves in an air-tight container, preferably in the fridge. Creeping thyme grows best in soil with an alkaline balance, and it’s essential to plant your creeping thyme in an area of the garden where the ground gets good drainage. Scarlet creeping thyme (Thymus praecox 'Coccineus'): Covered with rose-red flowers. Wooly thyme is an excellent choice for tight spaces in the yard that need some ground cover. Use enter to activate. If these woody stems start to dominate the plant, then it’s best to remove the plants and replace them with a new variety, pruning back the plant stimulates growth. English thyme is no threat also, even though it produces seeds, because it does not creep like wild thyme and, again, any seedlings it produces are easy to control. In late spring, it is covered with hot pink blooms that age to soft pink. Woolly Thyme is the most silver leaved of all the Thymes and never blooms, while White Moss Thyme is a lovely chartreuse with little white flowers in late spring. Preparing the Area. Type above and press Enter to search. use escape to move to top level menu parent. Creeping thyme * (Thymus serpyllum) It grows flat and covers a lot of area quickly. Leaving the roots of the plant damp all the time results in the onset of “wet feet,” and the start of root rot in the plant. Both pink and red creeping thyme also stay short, reaching heights of 4-inches or less. Creeping thyme grows well in USDA hardy zones 4-9. This flat-growing variety features fragrant fuzzy green leaves, smothered by soft salmon-pink flowers in summer. Use the creeping thyme as a border around flowerbeds, or as ground cover around tall perennials and shrubs. Explore this online platform for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees. Using creeping thyme as groundcover chokes the life out of invasive weeds, keeping your flowerbeds free from weed growth. North American gardens offer ideal growing conditions for creeping thyme, with pollinators and butterflies finding the plants attractive. Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Thymus, Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) 'Magic Carpet' supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at Dave's Garden. Fresh herbs lose their flavor and aroma after a few months, so make sure you use it within this time frame. 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