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Genus Thymus (Thyme)

Thymus Thymus 'Pink Ripple' Photo/Illustration: Jane Grushow
TY-mus Common Name: Thyme
Thymes produce carpets of blossoms in shades of pink, purple, or white. They are native to dry grasslands of Eurasia, and most thrive in any dry, well-drained spot. Patios, walks, rock gardens, stone walls, and pond borders all benefit from the creeping, mounding, and cascading habit of thyme. Prostrate species spill gracefully over stone walls and can be grown between pavers where occasional foot traffic releases their distinct aroma. Some thymes are used for cooking and making tea, and all species ornament herb gardens or formal areas. These plants are well loved by bees and butterflies.
 Noteworthy characteristics: These diminutive mats, mounds, and erect subshrubs provide texture to gardens in both flower and form. They are invaluable for their fragrance and their culinary attributes.
 Care: Grow in well-drained, average, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. (Woolly thyme and some golden or variegated species tolerate partial shade. Woolly thyme needs good air circulation in regions with high humidity.) In early spring, shear low growing species and lightly trim back after flowering. In spring, cut back flowering shoots of erect shrubs to 1/2" to 1" of previous year's growth.
 Propagation: Divide or mound-layer in spring or fall, take softwood cuttings in early summer and semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer to late summer. Sow seed in spring—thymes are slow to germinate and hybridize regularly.
 Problems: Gray mold, root rot.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Thymus

Thymus 'Pink Ripple' Thymus 'Pink Ripple'
(Thyme) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

In early- to mid-summer, this mat-forming thyme erupts with masses of 6-inch-high spikes covered with pink flowers. The light green, tiny foliage, hugging the ground in mats, has a pleasing lemon fragrance when crushed. This plant shines when spilling over stone walls or between the cracks in paving stones, where passersby can tread on the leaves and release the lemony scent.
Thymus × citriodorus 'Argenteus' Thymus × citriodorus 'Argenteus'
(Silver thyme, Lemon-scented thyme) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This plant is an elegant addition to an herb or ornamental garden. It has lemon-scented green leaves edged in silver and produces lilac flowers in early summer.
no image available Thymus polytrichus subsp. britannicus
(Mother of thyme, Thyme) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This thyme grows to 6 inches tall, with fuzzy stems and tiny, rounded, fuzzy blue-green leaves. In summer, it produces clusters of very small white to lilac-pink flowers. Plants spread to about 9 inches wide. The leaves are aromatic but the strength of their scent varies according to the plant's site and the time of year. 
Thymus pseudolanuginosus Thymus pseudolanuginosus
(Woolly thyme) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Woolly thyme—the wooliest of all thymes—forms a dense ground-covering mat of tiny, densely hairy leaves. The foliage has barely any fragrance and is unsuitable for culinary use. In summer, tiny pink tubular flowers appear. Plants grow to only one inch or so in height and spread to about a foot across.
Thymus serphyllum 'Annie Hall' Thymus serphyllum 'Annie Hall'
(Mother of thyme, Wild thyme, Serpolet) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Annie Hall' forms a prostrate mat with small, narrow leaves and is covered with pale purple-pink flowers in late spring. Plants can grow to 10 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz' Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz'
(Mother of thyme, Wild thyme, Serpolet) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

One of the first thymes to flower each year, this charming and reliable cultivar bursts into bloom in early spring with unique salmon-pink flowers. Its fuzzy olive-green foliage forms a mat 1 to 2 inches tall and 18 inches wide. It is one of the most tolerant of thymes of dry conditions, but grows robustly with plenty of water.