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Creeping Thyme
Mother of Thyme
Wild Thyme
Latin Name:
Thymus serpyllum 'Reiter'
Dwarf aromatic shrub primarily grown as a ground cover. Rarely used in cooking.
Taxon ID#
95
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Level:
Low
Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Sun Preference:
Full Sun
Water Preference:
L
Soil Preference:
Sandy
Fertilizer Needs:
Recommended Mulch:
Family:
Lamiaceae
Origins:
Plant Type:
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa
Oregon native:
no
Western state native:
no
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
Photo:
Used by Wildlife:
no
Hedge/Screen:
no
Swales:
no
Wildlife Use:
Border:
yes
Erosion Control:
yes
Windbreak:
no
Cover Structures:
no
Ground Cover:
yes
Provides Shade:
no
Rock Garden:
yes
Adds Texture/Movement:
no
First Bloom:
Jun
Last Bloom:
Sep
Ornamental Accent:
no
Garden Observations:
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:

George & Vickie Minor
Whistle Stop Farm & Flowers
Empire Stone
Instant Landscape
McPheeter's Turf
High Desert Farms Nursery Sales
Thank you!
Join an OSU Master Gardener managed community garden this summer!
Put your name in the lottery to get a plot at either Hollinshead's or Discovery Park's community garden.
More information for: Discovery Park Garden


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