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Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:
Nancy Glick

Taxon ID#

95

Dwarf aromatic shrub primarily grown as a ground cover. Rarely used in cooking.

Scientific  Name:

Thymus serpyllum 'Reiter'

Common Name 1

› Creeping Thyme

Family:

Lamiaceae

Origins:

Native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Common Name 2

› Mother of Thyme

Common Name 3

› Wild Thyme

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Sandy

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Other

Foliage Description:

Blue green leaves are tiny, opposite, oval rounded, pubescent, almost sessile. Mint fragrance varies with the season and leaves are not considered of culinary quality.

Fragrant:

yes

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Dense inflorescences of tiny, tubular, bell shaped, two lipped, deep pink to purple flowers on erect flowering stems rising 2" to 4" tall.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

4"

Mature spread:

4-12"

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Sandy soil heaths, rocky outcrops, hills, banks, roadsides and riverside sand banks.

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Used by Wildlife:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Photo:
Nancy Glick

Hedge/Screen:

no

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

Jun

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

Sep

Ornamental Accent:

no

no

Garden Observations:

Seasonal Care
Maintenance

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Cut back stems as necessary to maintain appearance.

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Divide plants that become densely woody.

Insect Pests:

No serious insect pests

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Subject to root rot in moist, poorly drained soils

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Cut back stems to control unsightly woody stem growth.

Care Comments:

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

Monrovia Profile:

Alternate Source 1:

Alternate Source 2:

Source Comment:

Landscape Application
Resource Links

Plant Maintenance Information

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