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Thyme: types and varieties with descriptions and photos. Thyme: description of species and rules of agricultural technology Thyme purple violet

Black thyme is used by gardeners for landscaping. It is planted on alpine slides, small flower beds. It is in perfect harmony with the paths laid out with decorative stone.

Thyme blooms almost the entire season: flowering begins in May, ends at the end of August. But even without buds, the plant is very decorative. It is worth stirring up the curtain a little - the air will smell like resin. Phytoncides of the plant have a beneficial effect on the body.

Thyme has medicinal properties. It has been successfully used in traditional medicine. Brewed herbal tea with a spoonful of honey will pleasantly warm the gardener on a winter evening.

plant description

Thyme represents the Lamiaceae family. The stem of thyme is low: 20-40 cm. It is crowned with sprigs creeping along the ground. They resemble blueberry shoots. The plant also covers the soil with a continuous carpet. Green twigs and stem are pubescent with fine hairs.

The elongated leaves are attached to the stem with short petioles. They have scent glands. They produce essential oils. The taste and smell of thyme are determined by the number of such glands.

Flowers are collected in a bunch. They are white, lilac, purple, pink. The inflorescences are very compact, densely arranged on the branches. After flowering, fruits are formed - nuts. They have an elongated shape. Their length is 5-6 mm.

In the wild, an unpretentious plant is found on roadsides, mountain slopes, and sunny forest edges. It feels comfortable on placers of stones.

Thyme grows rapidly in the garden. It reproduces by seeds and rooted shoots (vegetatively). If you do not limit the area, thyme will cover all the ridges in the garden.

thyme varieties

This plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family. 400 species of this unpretentious shrub are known. They differ in the size of the stems, their ascending or creeping position, the color of the corollas, and the aroma. The most famous types of wild thyme are ordinary and creeping.

Breeders create new varieties of thyme. Their characteristics are improved relative to the wild counterpart. They are more decorative, their aroma is brighter. Gardeners have plenty to choose from. You can dig up a bush in the wild and plant it in the garden. And you can buy a cultivated plant.

purple purple

This shrub has short shoots (10 cm). The corollas of flowers are painted with a bright purple-violet color. Covers the soil with a dense carpet. Aggressive variety towards other plants. Such shrubs should be planted in limited areas. Gardeners use sheets of steel, plastic, natural or artificial stone as a barrier.

Mountain

So the people call flea thyme. This low plant has lignified roots. They produce low shoots (15 cm). The stems spread or slightly rise above the ground. The stem is found naked or covered with hairs, it is faceted or rounded. The leaves are also covered with hairs.

It blooms with pale pink or rose-red flowers. The air around him is saturated with ether. Thrives in dry rocky areas. Does not tolerate excessive soil moisture.

Garden

Gardeners choose varieties of Bogorodsk grass in accordance with their own preferences and characteristics of the plant. For planting in the garden, thyme resistance to frost is taken into account. Do not plant heat-loving species in regions with cold winters.

When flooding the site, moisture-resistant varieties should be selected. For landing on an alpine hill, a flea or mountain is recommended.

Gardeners should take into account the combination of plants with other inhabitants of the garden. The color and height of the cover should harmoniously fit into the existing landscape.

Chalky

Prefers chalk slopes. Feels great in the place where limestone comes to the surface. Drought tolerant.

It has bare short stems. They branch a lot. Shoots up to 12 cm long rise vertically upwards. The flowers are inconspicuous: the corolla is greenish, the petals are pink and purple. The plant is not decorative. But the flavor is strong. Excellent honey plant. It should be placed near beds with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants to attract pollinating insects..

The decrease in nutrients affects the condition of the shrub: it becomes not so lush. But the flavor intensifies. Chalk thyme retains its scent when dried, even when stored carelessly.

Rainbow

The second name is vegetable. Its value is fragrant juicy shoots. They are used for cooking.

The stem rises 25 cm above the soil surface. The leaves are green-gray, fragrant. From germination to the first cut takes 30 days. Sensitive to soil moisture. When cultivated in cold regions, sunny thyme requires shelter.

pygmy

The smallest of thyme. The trunk rises only 3 cm above the soil surface. It blooms in May-July with pale pink flowers. Works great without fertilizer. But it needs regular watering. Decorative all season. Value: dense cover of the soil and preservation of a pleasant view during the entire warm period.

Klopovy

Semi-shrub up to 15 cm high. Creeping shoots, easily rooted. From May to August it blooms with pink flowers.

Grows on stony chalk slopes, outcrops of carbon to the surface, bare soils of pine forests. Sometimes settles on sandy soils. Drought resistant. It has value as a medicinal plant. In the garden will decorate the alpine hill.

Bush

Gardeners have to choose: plant bush or creeping thyme. The first one rises above the soil surface by 20-25 cm. It has looser curtains. Bush thyme looks great as a border of paths or a colored border.

You should choose varieties suitable for the region. The soil for planting a perennial shrub needs to be prepared in a special way.

Altaic

Semi-shrub with strongly branching shoots. Stem height 15-20 cm. Settles on rocks and mountain slopes. Selects chalky, gravelly and sandy soils. Purple flowers bloom in June-August. Excellent honey plant. Grows in valleys and foothills of Altai.

Value of the species: high content of essential oils, decorative, unpretentious. The plant will decorate the alpine hill in the garden, attract pollinators and provide the gardener with medicinal raw materials.

Forest

Thyme can also be found in the forest zone. He settles in well-lit glades, edges. Semi-shrub chooses dry sandy or podzolic soils. It blooms with pink flowers from May to August. Stems grow up to 12 cm tall.

The value of the species: unpretentiousness, the ability to grow and bloom on dry, poor soils.

handsome

Stem height - 30 cm. Shoots are long, creeping. The leaves are elongated. It blooms with large purple flowers collected in an ear. Prefers steppe areas open to the sun. Forms dense thickets. It is undemanding to soils and moisture. Value - decorative and unpretentious. Disappearing view. Gardeners can save the population by growing it on their site.

Sommertime

This variety is distinguished by the fact that strongly pubescent shoots do not lodge. They form a ball of bright green color with a diameter of 25 cm. Sommertime exudes a strong aroma. Gardeners grow it in pots to decorate the garden. The thyme hibernates at home.

Perennial

Thyme is a perennial plant. Its stems and leaves are green in color. Corollas of flowers are purple, pink, purple, even green. For successful cultivation in a summer cottage, you should carefully study the characteristics of the variety or species.

Ural

Thyme is found in the foothills of the Southern Urals. It grows on rocky, gravelly, chalky, sandy, chernozem soils. Dislikes loam and clay. Characteristics:

  • stress resistance;
  • drought resistance;
  • requirement for good lighting.

Gardeners can decorate the site with an undemanding creeper with large pink flowers.

mossy

Low Bogorodskaya grass. The stems of the semi-shrub rise 1 cm above the soil. The dark green leaves are 3 mm long. Flowers are absent. Forms a moss-like coating. Gardeners use thyme as an unpretentious aromatic substitute for moss.

Crimean

The semi-shrub has chosen the Crimean peninsula. Thyme grows on rocky and sandy soils in valleys and mountains. The height of the stems is up to 15 cm. The flowers have a purple-pink hue, they open in June-July. The fruits are black nuts. Value: rich aroma, drought resistance.

Difficulty in cold winters. With a sufficient amount of snow, it winters well, with “black frosts” thyme freezes out. Gardeners in regions with cold winters should cover the plant.

Taliyeva

Semi-shrub with stems up to 12 cm high. Pink-violet flowers. For growth, he chooses marl, scree, limestone rubble. Begins to bloom in June. Nuts ripen at the end of August. In the wild, it is found in North-Eastern Europe and the Urals.

Grows slowly. The height of the stems of this thyme variety is 5-10 cm. The pubescent leaves are small and exude a strong aroma. Blossoms earlier than other varieties: in June. The leaves are lilac or light purple. Gardeners use it to decorate alpine slides.

Stem height 5 cm. Red flowers bloom in June. Grows in full sun and partial shade. The variety prefers light fertile soils, but can also exist on poor stony soils. Created for decorating gardens.

The stems of this thyme variety rise up to a maximum of 30 cm above the soil. Shoots are decorated with small yellow-green leaves. A distinctive feature - the leaves smell like lemon. Inflorescence capitate, loose. The flowers are light pink.

Forms dense clumps. Does not tolerate heavy soils and overflow. May freeze in winter. It is valued by gardeners for its decorative effect and unusual aroma.

Compact shrub. The height of its stems does not exceed 15 cm. The shoots have a cylindrical profile. Down below. The leaves are small, oval, lanceolate. Color - dark green. Pale pink flowers have a purple hue. Blooms in July-August.

Works well on fertile light soils with good drainage. Appreciated for neat jackets.

Creeping

Semi-shrub with creeping shoots. Thyme flowers are light purple in color. The inflorescence is a discontinuous spike. The leaves are dark green, lanceolate. Downy below.

Excellent groundcover. It grows rapidly: in a season it is able to populate the entire site (under favorable conditions). Used in alpine slides and fragrant borders. The value of the type of thyme: unpretentiousness, availability of planting material.

Flea

The second name is mountainous. Prefers rocky poor soils with good drainage. Easily tolerates drought. Does not tolerate waterlogging. The stems rise to 15 cm. The flowers are red-pink or pink-lilac. Valued for its unpretentiousness and persistent aroma.

Dorfler

Aboriginal of the Balkan mountains. Does not tolerate frost. It blooms with pinkish-gray flowers. Curved leaves are covered with frequent white hairs. Very decorative, but capricious.

Lemon-smelling (Archers Gold)

This is an artificially created variety of thyme. Introduced into culture recently. The leaves have a characteristic green-gold color. Flowers are pale pink. During flowering, the plant presents a solid pink carpet.

Sensitive to waterlogging. Fails on clays and loams. Used by summer residents on alpine slides. It is valued for its decorative effect, bright aroma and medicinal properties.

Subarctic

Semi-shrub with erect stems inhabits the forests of Eastern Europe. The type of thyme is easily recognizable by its characteristic sharp carpet. Forms turf quickly. Drought tolerant and cold hardy. Purple flowers are collected in capitate inflorescences. Stems and leaves are pubescent. Valued for its high content of essential oils.

Choosing the Right Place to Grow

Thyme is an unpretentious plant. But to get a healthy beautiful plant, you must fulfill the requirements of agricultural technology:

  1. The landing site should be sunny or with light partial shade. Thyme will stretch when planted in the shade. The shrub becomes loose, loses its decorative effect.
  2. Varieties of thyme do not tolerate drafts. Shrubs should be planted in a site protected from the northern and northeastern winds. It is not bad to arrange landings on the south side of the buildings.
  3. The landing site should not be flooded with melt or rainwater. It is desirable to organize drainage.
  4. In the chosen place, the soil should be prepared. To do this, it is recommended to study the characteristics of the plant and the conditions for its growth in the wild. Heavy soils (clays and loams) should be structured. It is required to make sand, chalk gravel (if necessary), mature compost.
  5. Particular attention should be paid to the acidity of the soil. For thyme, a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction is acceptable. On acidic soils, lime or ash should be applied.

With proper placement, the shrub will please the gardener with a dense fragrant curtain already in the year of planting.

How to plant thyme

Thyme is a cold hardy plant. It can be planted immediately after the snow melts. When planting with a bush or a rooted shoot, the plant should not be buried. After completion of work, the soil around it should be mulched. Suitable stone chips, crushed stone, pebbles.

Thyme also takes root during autumn plantings. The best time is the beginning of September. Shoots and bushes will have time to grow the root systems necessary for wintering. This ensures the survival of the plant in the cold period.

Reproduction methods

The unpretentious groundcover is easy to propagate by seeds or vegetatively.

seeds

This is a labor intensive method. To get a flowering plant in the first year, gardeners grow seedlings at home:

  1. In early February, the seeds are sown in seedling boxes to a depth of 0.5 cm.
  2. They are covered with a film with drainage holes for air access. The condensate from the film is regularly removed.
  3. Thyme seeds germinate in a warm place. The tray should be placed closer to the heat source.
  4. After germination, the film is removed, the thyme bushes are thinned out. Leave strong. Weak ones can be added to tea.
  5. When the soil dries, thyme is sprayed. It is important not to pour the soil: this will lead to rotting of the roots.
  6. Thyme bushes are regularly hardened: the procedure will help them take root faster in the garden.
  7. Thyme is planted in a permanent place after the soil has warmed up. 4-5 degrees is enough.
  8. The first 2-3 days thyme needs shading with lutrasil. It is impossible to overexpose thyme in the shade: the shoots will stretch.

The advantage of this method: obtaining a large amount of planting material.

cuttings

Thyme shoots root easily. For reproduction, a non-lignified cutting is selected and a piece of the required length is cut off from it. For undersized varieties, the stalk should have a maximum size of 5 cm. For tall ones, 10-15 cm.

The stalk is immediately planted in a permanent place. A mini-greenhouse is being built above it. After 2-3 weeks, the gardener has a new plant.

Sometimes a thyme cutting is rooted in a greenhouse. The signal for root growth is the appearance of new green leaves.

Thyme shoots often root on their own. The gardener only needs to cut off a branch with roots and transplant to a new place.

Advantages of the method: preservation of the characteristics of hybrids and simplicity.

By dividing the bush

It is used when it is necessary to reconstruct an alpine slide or curb. The mother plant is completely dug up. Roots and shoots straighten out. The bush is cut with a sharply ground shovel or cut with garden shears. The incision sites are powdered with crushed activated charcoal. Delenki are transplanted to their designated places.

Disadvantage of the method: the mother plant is injured. From the gardener requires skill and caution.

Features of plant care

Thyme requires little maintenance. The gardener gets a beautiful plant with minimal labor.

Watering

A feature of the shrub is drought resistance. It should only be watered during severe drought. In this case, only slightly moisten the topsoil.

It is useful to spray the bushes before flowering. This will allow the plant to gain strength.

Overflow of thyme is very dangerous: the plant is easily affected by root rot and disappears. In case of prolonged heavy precipitation, the bushes should be covered with a film.

It is important to remember: thyme produces ether only in dry, hot weather..

Bushes are demanding on sunlight. In the shade, they wither, lose their compactness and decorative effect. Thyme shoots stretch and turn pale. The curtain falls apart.

A beautiful and fragrant plant will delight the gardener when placed in a sunny place.

top dressing

Thyme does not need special soil fertility. Most species grow in the wild on poor chalky or podzolic soils. Thyme varieties require moderate application of mature compost.

When growing thyme in the garden, sometimes lime or bone meal should be added. It is not required to fertilize thyme with organic matter or mineral complexes.

Weeding

Thyme does not tolerate shade. He needs bright sunlight. Weeds deprive him of a comfortable existence. They need to be thrown out.

Drainage around the thyme with stone chips will eliminate the appearance of harmful plants. The introduction of chalk and constant loosening of the soil will help.

Pruning and shaping thyme

To obtain a dense coating and long flowering, thyme must be pruned. For this procedure, shoots with a small number of leaves are chosen. Their removal provides the gardener with beautiful thyme throughout the summer period.

Sometimes it is required to give thyme a special shape. On the alpine slides, it must occupy a certain place. In this case, the thyme is cut at the request of the gardener using a topiary frame.

Often, gardeners carry out a healing pruning procedure after the flowering of thyme. Thyme is mowed, left 2-3 cm above the ground. This event is successful in regions with warm winters. In cold areas, thyme can freeze.

Diseases and pests

Thyme is resistant to diseases if the rules of cultivation are observed. In rainy summers or with excessive watering, thyme is affected by fungi. In this case, the bush is completely dug out, the soil is disinfected with a solution of copper sulfate.

Thyme is loved by aphids, weevil and sandy linger. But they settle on weak bushes. Healthy plants do not attract pests. Prevention is timely weeding, loosening. Compliance with the rules of cultivation is the main condition for the existence of beautiful thyme shrubs in the garden.

Combination with other plants

All varieties and types of thyme are perfectly combined with other plants. The ground cover has a superficial root system. This allows it to be grouped with plants with deep roots.

Often gardeners prefer to place thyme as a tapeworm. It is planted in hanging planters, fill a clearing in the recreation area. The ground cover in these cases looks lovely.

Gardeners are looking for interesting combinations of colors and aromas when forming plantings. Flowers are odorless, but with large bright petals complement the ether of thyme.

Often gardeners place thyme next to strong-smelling flowers. They fill open ground. In this case, you should be very careful: mixing flavors can lead to negative consequences. The existing composition will have to be destroyed.

Thyme is a wonderful honey plant. It is specially planted next to vegetables that require pollination. The presence of thyme ground cover in the garden increases the yield of cucumbers and tomatoes.

The unpretentiousness of thyme allows you to grow it in an apartment. It is required to create comfortable conditions for thyme:

  • pick up a container slightly larger than thyme roots (planting material is taken when dividing the bush);
  • fill inside the soil for succulents or cacti;
  • add chalk gravel;
  • mulch on top with stone chips;
  • put on a sunny windowsill;
  • protect from drafts.

The advantage of thyme: it perfectly tolerates the dry winter air of rooms. Watering is required to be carried out as the clod of earth dries. On cloudy days, thyme should be provided with additional illumination up to 18 hours.

By placing thyme on the windowsill, gardeners will be able to enjoy thyme ether throughout the year.

Pros and cons of using in landscape design

The presence of a shrub in the landscape will bring a lot of positive emotions to the gardener:

  1. The plant can serve as a backdrop for large plantings or act as a tapeworm. There is no limit to imagination and creativity.
  2. The aroma of spices saturates the air with ether, heals it. Walking in the garden, the summer resident receives an aromatherapy session.
  3. Honey plant enlivens the site: it attracts bright butterflies, bumblebees. A city dweller likes this unity with nature.
  4. Beauty is not the only plus of the presence of thyme in the garden. A gardener can store healing herbs for the winter.
  5. The shrub provides material for bouquets. Bogorodskaya grass goes well with mint, lovage and silver wormwood. Popular belief ascribes to such a collection the ability to protect against evil spirits.

There is only one drawback of the presence of a semi-shrub: rapid growth and aggressive seizure of the territory. This problem is solved by mechanical limitation of landings.

Where is thyme used?

The shrub has an interesting chemical composition:

  • acids (ursulic, quinic, chlorogenic, coffee, oleanolic);
  • fats;
  • vitamins (C, A, PP);
  • mineral salts;
  • flavonoids;
  • gum.

This makes it possible to use the leaves and stems for medicinal purposes. The oil obtained from thyme is used as a bactericidal and antiviral agent. In the home first aid kit there are many recipes for various ailments.

The plant is an excellent aphrodisiac. Thyme extract is a part of natural medicines to increase potency.

The essential oil is popular in aromatherapy. Its aroma is used to relax and calm stressed people. It is dripped into the container of an aromatic lamp. A candle lit at the bottom evaporates the water and vaporizes the air in the room.

An infusion or decoction is prescribed as a prophylactic or adjuvant for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Drinking drinks relieves irritation, improves sleep. Often canvas bags with dried thyme are hung indoors. The room is filled with the smell of a flowering meadow. The mood of the people in it rises.

Thyme improves immunity and strengthens the body. Increased resistance to colds, SARS and influenza. The infusion effectively treats a wet cough.

Shrubs and culinary specialists did not ignore. Mediterranean cuisine has many recipes where spice leaves are used. Every gardener at least once tried black or green tea with thyme and bought spicy mixtures with this plant. Often, thyme extract makes the composition of dishes original and unforgettable.

Beauticians use the bactericidal properties of the shrub to refresh inflamed, acne-prone skin. Infusion baths soothe and saturate the skin with vitamins and minerals.

Thyme infusion recipe

Tincture in a water bath is used for rinsing the mouth and throat, inhalation, rinsing hair instead of purchased products. How to cook:

  • crush equal parts mint and thyme (dried or fresh);
  • a tablespoon of the mixture is poured into a glass of water heated to 80 degrees;
  • the dishes are wrapped and infused for an hour in a warm place;
  • the finished infusion after straining is divided into 4 equal parts.

Take the remedy regardless of food. For taste, it can be diluted with water and sweetened with honey.

A decoction of thyme is prepared like this. Dry or fresh grass should be crushed (plant fractions will give all the elements more fully). Pour 1 liter of cold water and bring to a boil in a water bath. Wrap, cool, strain. The decoction is taken in equal parts throughout the day.

Thyme alcohol tincture

  • grind a glass of fresh thyme shoots;
  • put in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid;
  • pour 0.5 liters of good vodka;
  • keep in a cool dark place for 3 weeks;
  • shake once every 7 days.

Strain the finished infusion and store in the refrigerator. Take orally half a teaspoon once a day. To cleanse the skin, wipe the face with a cotton pad soaked in tincture. It is recommended to add the product to the water when rinsing the hair (a teaspoon per liter of warm water).

Advantages of the remedy: thyme alcohol infusion is stored for a long time (up to 1 year), prepared in June (the herb gains maximum useful properties). Disadvantage: not everyone is allowed to take alcohol.

The benefits and harms of the plant

In nature, there are no absolutely useful or harmful plants. Before using drugs, you should familiarize yourself with the properties and contraindications. If necessary, you should visit a doctor before treatment.

Thyme has a strong effect on the body:

  1. The shrub has anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties. Infusions are used for toothache as a mouth rinse. Decoctions help reduce inflammation in sore throat or stomatitis.
  2. Thyme helps to normalize blood circulation.
  3. Traditional medicine recommends using a decoction or oil as a disinfectant for minor cuts and skin injuries. For gardeners working with the land, this is especially useful.
  4. The oil promotes healing of wounds and cracks. Fragrant medicine will appeal to children. It should be in every gardener's first aid kit.
  5. Herbal tea strengthens the immune system. It will help improve the condition, helps with furunculosis, diabetes. But you need to visit a doctor to prescribe a treatment regimen.

Useful properties of fragrant herbs are used in preparations for the treatment of colds and flu. Vitamin tea from thyme is useful for spring beriberi.

Contraindications

Not everyone is allowed to use thyme preparations without harm to health. You should limit the use of drugs and teas:

  • pregnant and lactating women;
  • patients with liver and kidney diseases;
  • suffering from stomach and duodenal ulcers;
  • allergy sufferers;
  • people with high blood pressure.

Thyme will not be useful for people with individual intolerance to its components. Thyme has the ability to warm. Its use as an antipyretic will lead to undesirable consequences. The patient's condition will worsen.

It is important to remember: prolonged use of medicinal drugs will provoke the appearance of nausea and vomiting. The use of funds should be stopped and consult a doctor.

Black thyme, or Bogorodskaya grass, is popularly referred to as thyme. It grows in most of Europe, and is also found in Africa and East Asia. There are up to 400 varieties of thyme. It is appreciated by gardeners and landscape designers for its worthy decorative qualities and ease of care. In addition, the plant is endowed with a wide range of medicinal properties.

Thyme (thyme) is a perennial plant, semi-shrub type from the mint family. Semi-lignified stems reach a height of 25-40 cm. The green branches crowning it spread along the ground and look like blueberry shoots. Because of this, thyme is ideal for landscaping a personal plot.

The leaves are elongated, with short petioles. On the surface there are aromatic glands that produce phytoncides. They determine the ethereal taste and smell of grass.

Thyme blooms from May to late August.

Flowers are collected in a bunch, tightly adjacent to the branch. The color is different: lilac, white, pink. After flowering, fruits are tied, in the form of oval-elongated nuts, up to 7 cm long.

Wild thyme grows everywhere in nature: along roads, in meadows, fields and forest edges, at the foot of mountains. In growth, it is unpretentious, so it feels equally comfortable in fertile and depleted soil.

thyme varieties

In nature, there are about 400 types of thyme or thyme. Each is individual in its own way, they differ: in size, height and principle of growth (creeping or ascending), colors, aroma. The most common representatives are:

  • common thyme;
  • creeping thyme;
  • lemon thyme.

Thanks to the tireless work of breeders, quite promising varieties have been bred, with no less worthy technical and decorative indicators. The range of thyme is wide, so that gardeners have plenty to choose from.

A semi-shrub type plant, up to 15-20 cm high. The leaves are small, with internal downy. The color scheme of the inflorescences is different: white, pale purple, red. This type of thyme is less frost-resistant than creeping thyme. In landscape design, dwarf varieties of common thyme, for example, Elfin, are more often used.


A perennial species of thyme with numerous thin stems creeping along the ground. They tend to lignify with age at the base, rising at the tops. The shoots reach a height of 20 cm.

The leaves of creeping thyme are oval, ovoid or lanceolate, having a green color. Small in size, oppositely located.

The flowers are small, collected in voluminous inflorescences of various colors: scarlet, purple, pink, two-tone. This type of thyme is unpretentious to growing conditions: it is drought- and frost-resistant. The most common varieties of creeping thyme with a specific lemon aroma:

  • Sommertime.
  • Rainbow.
  • Early Minor.
  • Dorfler.
  • Donna Valey.

A low-growing variety of thyme, no more than 15 cm tall. The leaves are ovate-elongated, yellow-green in color, eventually becoming rich green. The culture is characterized by a persistent lemon smell. Lemon thyme forms a dense leaf cushion, grows rapidly and therefore requires constant pruning of shoots.

This type of thyme (thyme) does not tolerate low temperatures, so shelter is needed for the winter.


Perennial shrubs with short shoots, up to 10 cm high. The flowers of purple-violet thyme are rich purple in different shades. A rather aggressive representative in growth, intensively occupying the available free space.


A low perennial, which is popularly referred to as flea thyme. It has a lignified root system that produces short shoots: raised or creeping. They are bare, fleecy, faceted or rounded. There are small hairs on the leaf plates.

Mountain thyme blooms with delicate pink and red flowers. Gives off a pleasant ethereal fragrance that spreads over vast areas around. Thyme gets along well on rocky ground, but does not tolerate excessive moisture.


Thyme, preferring to settle in hilly areas where calcareous soil prevails. It has high drought tolerance. Valued by gardeners for its strong fragrance, even when dried, it is used as a groundcover.

Cretaceous thyme is a honey plant, so it is better to place it next to the beds of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant. This attracts pollinating insects.

Cretaceous thyme grows in dense low bushes (10-13 cm long), with abundantly branching rising shoots. The flowers are so small that they are visually inconspicuous: a green corolla, with lilac-pinkish petals.

A variety of creeping thyme, which has a second name - vegetable. Particularly predisposed to light, so it is also called solar thyme. It is endowed with strong stems, stretching 20-25 cm above the ground. Due to their juiciness and aroma, they are often used in cooking various dishes.

The leaves of the rainbow thyme are green, with a grayish tint. This representative reacts sharply to changes in soil moisture - it dries quickly with a lack. Cultivating it in cool regions means creating a shelter for the winter.


The most undersized type of garden thyme, with the growth of shoots no more than 3 cm. It retains its decorative effect throughout the growing season. Flowering occurs in May-July. Thyme blooms with small pink flowers.

It is unpretentious in care, grows well and develops even in depleted soil. Does not need frequent watering.

A creeping shrub up to 17 cm long. It takes root quickly under any conditions. In the natural environment, it is usually found on rocky slopes, where there is a surface layer of carbon. Not particularly sensitive to drought.

Bedbug thyme blooms all summer, starting in May. Inflorescences of bright pink color. The plant is used in folk medicine for its medicinal properties. It is valued by landscape designers for its decorative qualities.


Bush thyme forms compact bushes 22-25 cm high. This type of thyme, unlike creeping thyme, has loose curtains. Ideal for decorating garden paths on the sides.

For each region, the appropriate variety of thyme is selected, depending on weather conditions.

A strongly branching shrub, 20 cm tall. In nature, Altai thyme grows mainly on rocks, where there are large accumulations of: crushed stone, lime. Grows well on sandstone. It blooms in late July with bright purple flowers. Holds a decorative form until the end of August.

Altai thyme is considered a melliferous plant, so the largest accumulation is noted in the valleys of the Altai Territory. In cultivation, Altai thyme is unpretentious. Grown as landscaping and medicinal raw materials.


A compact shrub that is not picky about growth conditions and soil, often found in the forest and on the edges. Prefers sandy and podzolic substrates. It survives well even in drought.

The shoots of the forest thyme are erect, stretching 10-12 cm in length. It blooms throughout the warm period - from May to September. Pink inflorescences.

Quite a tall variety with creeping branches up to 30 cm long. The leaves are narrow, elongated. They form a dense green blanket. The flowers of the beautiful thyme are large, collected in dense spike-shaped brushes, of a rich red color.

Beautiful thyme loves areas with good lighting. Thyme is undemanding to soil and humidity. Despite this, it is consistently beautiful throughout the summer season.


A variety that stands out with densely pubescent non-lodging shoots that form rounded dense curtains. The height does not outgrow the level of 25 cm. Sommertime thyme exudes a pleasant ethereal aroma.

Suitable for growing in stationary flowerpots and pots, which are used to decorate the garden. For wintering, thyme is transferred to the house.


A variety of thyme, mostly growing in the Southern Urals. In the choice of soil, it is not picky; gravelly, chalky, sandy, black soil is suitable. The only thing is that it does not take root well in clay.

Ural thyme is characterized by stress and drought resistance, but is demanding of light. It blooms with large bright pink flowers.


mossy thyme

A low representative, with 1 cm stems. Foliage of a dark green color scheme up to 3-4 mm long, forming a dense covering, like moss. Flowers are absent.

In landscape design, moss thyme is widely used as a replacement for moss cover, but only with aromatic properties.

In the natural environment, this species inhabits mainly the Crimean peninsula, rocky and sandy territory. The stems are extended 15-17 cm above the ground. The flowers are small, lilac-pink and bloom in mid-summer.

Crimean thyme is valued by amateur gardeners for its ease of care, resistance to all weather manifestations and rich aroma. Thyme successfully endures snowy winters without shelter, otherwise it freezes.


A semi-shrub type plant up to 12-13 cm tall. The color scheme is in pink and purple tones. The flowering period of thyme falls at the beginning of June, fruiting occurs in August.

Wild representatives are found mainly in the Urals and North-Eastern Europe. Thyme, favorable to limestone, rubble and scree.


A slowly growing variety of creeping thyme, stretching 5-10 cm. The leaves are medium-sized, with pubescent plates, compactly distributed along the stems. It blooms earlier than other varieties of thyme - in early June. Flowers lilac or pale lilac.

Used as an ornamental groundcover.


Another beautiful early variety of thyme up to 5 cm high. Dissolution usually occurs in June-July. Flowers are grouped into capitate buds. Grows equally well in shade and sun. Prefers fertilized lands, but does not particularly suffer on rocky soils.


Tall representative, about 30 cm in height. Refers to the lemon-smelling type of thyme. The shoots are completely strewn with small, dark green leaves. A characteristic feature of the plant is a persistent lemon aroma.

In the process of growth, it forms thickened curtains. The flowers are collected in spherical loose heads, pale pink in color. For planting, it is preferable to select loose soils, with deep groundwater.


A rare species on the verge of extinction, a regular in the Balkan Mountains. It has many similarities with creeping thyme. Differs in excessively pubescent whitish foliage, slightly inclined in the upper part of the shoots.

It blooms with fragrant pinkish-gray inflorescences at the beginning of the summer season, for two weeks. Pretty nice view, but very capricious.


Creeping low grass with vertically rising shoots. Inhabits large numbers of forest areas in Eastern Europe. Easily recognizable by the way it forms a pointed plant cover.

Lilac flowers, compressed into voluminous inflorescences. Leaf plates and branches are covered with multiple short villi. The turf is actively growing. Easily tolerates drought and frost.


Choosing the Right Place to Grow

For planting thyme in a personal plot, varieties are chosen with a focus on climatic conditions in the region.

In addition, additional factors are taken into account: the presence of closely passing groundwater, options for combining with other vegetation in height and color, personal preferences.

Garden thyme is inherently unpretentious, but for a beautiful and lush flowering, it is necessary to adhere to certain agrotechnical measures. First of all, they determine the place: for planting it must be sunny, with shading from the midday heat and protection from drafts. When growing in full shade, the shrub grows strongly and loses its decorative effect.


A good location is the southern end of the garden, not far from the fence or other buildings. It is recommended to choose small hills to avoid flooding during the spring and autumn floods. Drainage is done for safety.

The soil is preliminarily prepared: they dig it up in the fall, add sand, lime and rotted compost to the clay. Thyme prefers a neutral or slightly alkaline growth environment, so the acidic substrate is diluted with ash. With a competent approach, already in the year of planting, thyme will delight with a young green carpet.

How to plant thyme

Thyme is planted in the spring, when the threat of sudden night frosts has passed and the daytime temperature stabilizes at around 13 ° C. They dig up a piece of land and sow the seeds.

Advice! After sowing thyme, a layer of river sand is scattered on the surface. This will ensure that young shoots are fed with the elements necessary for growth, and prevent weed growth and water stagnation.


As the first sprouts hatch and stretch a little, thinning is performed. The optimal interval between plantings is 25-30 cm.

Seedlings are also planted in open ground, which are prepared in advance - they are planted at home at the end of February.

Sow thyme seeds in separate boxes and cover with glass to create a greenhouse effect. Minimal care: timely watering and periodic ventilation, with the removal of accumulated condensate inside.

A month later, the grown and strengthened seedlings are moved to a balcony or a greenhouse for hardening. And after 2 weeks they are transplanted to a permanent place in the garden. Too deepen the bushes is not worth it. After planting, the ground around is mulched: rubble, pebbles, stone chips.

Thyme takes root well during the autumn landing - in September. Before the first frost, the bushes have time to gain strength and take root.


Thyme propagation methods

Thyme reproduces in several ways:

  • cuttings;
  • dividing the bush;
  • seeds.

Thyme can successfully propagate by self-sowing and if you do not limit the space, then soon it will be everywhere.

seeds

The most time-consuming option that gardeners resort to in order to obtain a large amount of planting material. In early spring, thyme seeds are sown immediately on beds (in the southern regions) or in a greenhouse. It is important to monitor the seedlings so that weeds do not interfere with their development. As the landings grow up, the extra ones are pulled out.


Some summer residents prefer to grow seedlings at home in trays and then transplant them into open ground when it warms up. The soil mixture is bought ready-made or prepared independently: peat and river sand are mixed in equal proportions. Seeds are immersed to a depth of 0.5-1 cm.

Seedlings are placed closer to the heat source and covered with foil or glass. Do not forget to periodically open and remove the condensate that forms on the glass (film). With the first shoots, the temperature in the room is lowered, the greenhouse protection is removed and less humidified. Seedlings of thyme are sprayed with settled water as the soil dries out.

With early harvesting of seedlings and planting in the garden, thyme begins to bloom already in the same season.


cuttings

Thyme easily takes root in a new place with shoots. To do this, choose a creeping branch that is not yet lignified. Cut off to a length of 15-20 cm from the top - in tall representatives and at least 5 cm - in short ones. The plot is planted separately in a greenhouse or on the street, but with the creation of a greenhouse structure (covered with a jar, stretched with a film).

A sign of full rooting will be the appearance of green leaves on the seedling. For 3 weeks, regularly moisturize and get a young plant as a result. Often thyme takes root on its own. The gardener can only separate the shoot from the mother bush and transplant it into its place.

The advantage of this method of reproduction is the preservation of the original varietal characteristics and ease of execution.


By dividing the bush

A similar option is used when it is required to reconstruct an alpine slide or curb. The original thyme bush is carefully dug up, and the root ball is untangled. Then it is cut with a shovel or other garden tool into the required number of pieces. The cut points are treated with coal dust.

The plots are planted separately. The disadvantage of the method is that in the process damage to the maternal planting occurs.

Features of plant care

Thyme is an unpretentious plant and it is not difficult to care for it. Despite this, it is recommended to adhere to the main agrotechnical measures:

  • Watering is carried out only in dry weather. At the same time, only the top layer of the earth is moistened. Before flowering, the bushes are often sprayed, which helps them gain strength. Filling thyme is not recommended, as this leads to rotting of the roots. In case of frequent rains, plantings are covered with a film.

  • They observe a certain light regime: in full shading, the thyme becomes nondescript, loose and drooping. Only an abundance of light will revive the plant.
  • Thyme does not particularly need additional feeding - most wild representatives grow well even on stones. You can add a little mature compost 1-2 times per season. For garden varieties of thyme, sometimes you will need to add ash or lime to the soil. Mineral supplements are not needed.
  • The flower plot is systematically weeded and loosened, as weed grass clogs the growth of thyme.

To facilitate care, you should mulch the beds with thyme with stone chips.


Trimming and shaping

Timely pruning will help create a beautiful green cover of thyme grass and prolong flowering. Remove shoots depleted of foliage. To give a specific shape to curtains, which is important for alpine slides, gardeners use a topiary frame.

After the flowering of thyme is completed, it is advisable to do a health pruning: they mow the plantings almost under the base, leaving grass 2-3 cm high on the surface. But this procedure is practiced only in regions with warm winters. In severe frosts, this leads to freezing of the plant.


Diseases and pests

Thyme rarely gets sick, but if agricultural practices are not followed and growth conditions are not suitable, it can be affected by fungal diseases and insects. Of the latter, the following are of particular danger:

  • Meadow bloodworm - damages foliage and stems. When butterflies are found, the bushes are treated with insecticides.
  • Sandy lingering beetle is a large black bug that settles on the entire ground part of the plant. From it helps the arrangement of traps with a poisonous substance.
  • Weevil - small black beetles that feed on young leaves and shoots. Partially capture buds during flowering. The method of disposal is similar to the previous pest, additionally sprayed with insecticidal agents.
  • Aphids are millimeter-sized insects that infect stems and leaves. In the fight against them, special insecticidal preparations are used.

The most common diseases: rust, root rot, fungus. The plant becomes covered with brown spots, withers and slows down in development. At the first sign of damage, the curtains are dug out entirely and destroyed, and the soil is treated with copper sulphate.


Combination with other plants

All varieties and types of thyme successfully harmonize with other vegetation. This is an ideal ground cover, with a superficial formation of the root system. This allows you to grow it together with representatives that have deep roots.

Thyme looks spectacular as a background to plants, with large leaves and flowers. Often gardeners use thyme as a tapeworm, planted in hanging planters and stationary flowerpots. With the right combination of color and aroma, rather refined and impressive joint compositions come out.

Thyme can be planted nearby:

  • odorless flowers;
  • vegetables, as thyme attracts insects for pollination.

Thyme is widely used in landscape design to decorate alpine slides, mixborders, scree.

Thyme looks no less impressive in a pot on the windowsill. Its unpretentiousness allows cultivation at home. To do this, it is necessary to select the appropriate containers, and the planting material itself is taken when dividing garden bushes.

Soil is poured into pots - ready-made, for cacti or succulents. Chalk is added for looseness. After planting, the root zone is mulched with rocky chips. Place the grass in a sunny place where there is no draft.

The advantage of thyme is that it easily tolerates dry air in apartments in winter. It is usually watered infrequently, as the surface soil layer dries. In cloudy weather, the plant is illuminated with ordinary lamps, extending daylight hours to 17-18 hours.


Pros and cons of using in landscape design

The presence of thyme in the garden will bring a lot of positive things for owners and guests:

  1. In combination with other plants, thyme creates catchy compositions.
  2. Allows you to translate into reality any fantasies and creative ideas.
  3. A pleasant spicy aroma will fill the surrounding space, which will serve as a preventive measure against many diseases and will cheer you up.
  4. Serves as a honey plant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
  5. It is a medicinal raw material that can be stocked up for a long period.
  6. Once cut, thyme stays fresh for a long time. They are used to make compact bouquets. Thyme looks especially impressive in combination with mint, wormwood or lovage.

The disadvantage of having thyme is its ability to grow uncontrollably. But the problem is easily solved by erecting a fence.


The benefits and harms of the plant

Thyme is endowed with a wide range of useful properties due to its rich biochemical composition. It contains:

  • organic acids: quinic, coffee, oleic, ursulic, chlorogenic;
  • fats;
  • vitamins: A, C, PP;
  • minerals;
  • flavonoids;
  • gum.

Thyme has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Infusions and decoctions are taken as a disinfectant for a number of health problems: sore throat, toothache, stomatitis, gingivitis and other lesions of the oral cavity.

Thyme effectively lowers blood pressure and normalizes blood circulation. Thyme oil promotes healing of wounds, abrasions, cuts and other damage to the skin. External and internal intake of herbal forms helps with furunculosis, diabetes.

A herbal-based tea drink strengthens the immune system, which is especially important in winter, when the body needs the most support. Thyme is indicated in the complex treatment of: colds, flu, SARS.


Contraindications

Despite the great benefits of thyme herb for the human body, it can also be harmful. Not all people will benefit from taking thyme-based medicines.

Obvious contraindications include:

  • pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  • pathology of the kidneys and liver;
  • stomach ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer;
  • an allergic reaction to individual components in the composition of the herb;
  • hypertension.

Since thyme has the property of warming, it is not used as an antipyretic. This will only make the situation worse.

Important! Long-term use of drugs based on thyme leads to side effects: nausea, vomiting, dizziness. Then herbal therapy is stopped and consult a doctor.


Where is thyme used?

Due to the rich composition and mass of useful properties, the herb is in demand in traditional medicine. For medicinal purposes, various forms based on thyme are used: alcohol tinctures, water infusions and decoctions, oil.

For the production of medicines at home, the entire terrestrial component of the plant is suitable: leaves, shoots. Herbal decoctions and infusions help in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Thyme is considered a natural aphrodisiac and is included in the composition of drugs for impotence.

Its aroma heals and serves as aromatherapy: it relaxes, soothes, relieves depression, normalizes sleep, and improves mood. Oil is dripped into a special lamp, and due to the evaporation of water, the air is saturated with healing vapors. Due to phytoncides, thyme is able to disinfect the surrounding space from pathogenic bacteria.


Thyme is no less in demand in the culinary field. So, in Mediterranean cuisine there are many recipes with this spicy herb. It is customary to add it to tea, various dishes. Thyme extract transforms the taste of dishes, making them more saturated. Fresh thyme can be substituted for black pepper.

The bactericidal, antiseptic and regenerating properties of thyme have not gone unnoticed in cosmetology. From it they make: masks, lotions, tonics, which have a beneficial effect on problematic and sensitive facial skin. Regular procedures with them saturate the epidermis with nutrients and vitamins.


Thyme infusion recipe

An aqueous infusion of thyme is commonly used as a mouth and throat rinse, inhalation, and as a hair rinse.

The recipe for making an infusion of thyme implies the additional inclusion of mint or blueberry leaves. Components are taken in equal proportions. The process consists of the following steps:

  1. Dry or fresh raw materials are crushed.
  2. One tablespoon of the mixture is poured with hot water at a temperature of 80-90 ° C.
  3. Wrap the bowl with a warm towel and let it brew for an hour in a warm place.
  4. The finished infusion is filtered, divided into 3-4 equal portions.

Take the remedy throughout the day, regardless of the meal. To give it a taste, you can add honey or dilute it with a little water.

It is not much more difficult to prepare a decoction of thyme. To do this, finely chopped fresh or dried grass is mixed with a liter of cold water. Put in a water bath and remove after boiling. Then wrap with a cloth and wait for complete cooling. The decoction is taken in equal parts throughout the day.

The decoction helps in the complex therapy of diabetes mellitus, furunculosis, and various kinds of allergies.


Thyme alcohol tincture

Alcohol tincture on thyme is intended for ingestion, as well as an external agent for treating problematic facial skin and rubbing. Helps with rheumatism, joint pain.

Required Ingredients:

  • thyme shoots - 200 grams;
  • vodka - 500 ml.

Preparation procedure:

  1. Grass is crushed.
  2. Put in a glass container.
  3. Top up with alcohol and close the lid tightly.
  4. Cleaned in a cool and dark place for 2-3 weeks. Don't forget to shake once a week.
  5. After the expiration of the prescribed period, the tincture is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.

Take 1 teaspoon once a day. Against acne, the face is treated with a cotton pad dipped in the product. After washing your hair, it is recommended to rinse them with a solution of tincture and water - 1 teaspoon per 1 liter.

Alcohol tincture is stored for about a year. Contraindicated for internal consumption in children.


Creeping thyme, or thyme ( Thymus serpillum) is a perennial decumbent shrub. Thyme stems are numerous, creeping, thin, rooting, woody at the base with age and form erect or ascending flowering shoots 15-20 cm high. Thyme leaves are petiolate, small opposite, entire, oblong-oval, hard with protruding veins and glands. Thyme flowers are small, pinkish-purple, collected at the ends of the branches in loose capitate inflorescences. The fruit is a small, spherical, smooth black-brown nut.

Creeping thyme, white. © KENPEI

In Russia, creeping thyme is often called Bogorodskaya grass. This is due to the custom on the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God to decorate her icons with bunches of fragrant grass.

Content:

Description of creeping thyme

In the wild, this plant is found in Scandinavia, Atlantic and Central Europe, as well as in Asia, North Africa, and North America. Distributed in the forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones of the European part of Russia, in Western Siberia and Transbaikalia, in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Thyme grows in dry open sandy places, along the hills, next to shrubs, in dry pine forests. Thyme is cultivated in Europe and the USA as a medicinal, ornamental and aromatic plant.

In Russia, wild creeping thyme is harvested in the Stavropol, Krasnodar Territories and in the Rostov Region. 6 domestic varieties of thyme have been registered.

Useful properties of thyme

Creeping thyme herb contains 0.1-0.6% essential oil, tannins and bitter substances, gum, resin, flavonoids, organic, mineral salts. Thyme essential oil is a colorless or light yellow liquid with a strong pleasant smell.

Thyme is widely used in medicine, food industry and perfumery. The plant belongs to the ancient medicines. Thyme grass is used in official medicine in the form of a decoction and liquid extract as an expectorant for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, pneumonia, as an analgesic for radiculitis and neuritis, as a dactogenic, for gynecological diseases. Outwardly - for aromatic baths, compresses and lotions.

Thyme extract is part of Pertussin, a cough medicine. Fresh and dried plant has a persistent aroma, bitter-spicy, slightly burning taste. As a spice in cooking, the tops of shoots with flowers are used. In small doses in the form of a powder, it is used in vegetable and meat soups, in large doses it is added to many fish dishes. When frying fish, it is recommended to coat it in flour mixed with thyme powder.

Thyme is used to flavor tea, sausages, smoked meats, pates, meat dishes, sprinkled on cheeses, fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, eggplant, mushrooms, used in the manufacture of marinades, sauces, homemade cheeses, salting and urinating.


Creeping thyme, or creeping thyme, or common thyme (lat. Thymus serpyllum). © Sumi

Growing thyme

Creeping thyme is an undemanding to soil, drought-resistant, winter-hardy plant. Under it, areas well-lit by the sun, closed from cold winds, with fertile, loose, neutral soil of light or medium texture, free from weeds, should be allocated.

Creeping thyme is propagated by seeds and vegetatively by dividing the bushes. When sowing seeds in closed ground in the first or second decade of March, seedlings appear on the 10-15th day. In May, thyme seedlings are planted in the ground according to the scheme 40 x 30 cm. When sowing directly into the ground, the seeds are sown in early spring or before winter, planting them to a depth of no more than 0.5 cm. Seeding rate - 0.3-0.4 g of seeds per 1 m2.

The division of thyme bushes is carried out in the spring, dividing them into separate shoots with roots. The divided parts are planted to a depth of 4-5 cm in moist soil.

Raw thyme is harvested in July-August, cutting flowering shoots with a knife or scissors.


Creeping thyme. © Jerzy Opiola

Decorative thyme

Creeping thyme is a ground cover plant, it creates dense carpets, which during the flowering period are completely covered with numerous lilac-pink inflorescences. Flowering lasts 2-2.5 months. Thyme curtains emit a great aroma.

The genus includes approximately 400 species that are distributed in the temperate zone of Europe, Asia, and also in North Africa.

The largest number of thyme species grows in the European part (more than 50), almost the same number of species is found in the Caucasus and Siberia (40). There are only 6 species in the Far East.

Thyme is a semi-shrub with ascending or recumbent woody stems, erect or ascending flowering shoots.

Thyme leaves are entire, small, ciliate, located oppositely. Thyme flowers are small, pink or white, lilac, collected in spicate or capitate inflorescences.

Species and varieties

A natural hybrid that is common in Southern France.

Perennial. The leaves are small, rounded or ovate. Flowering shoots up to 30 cm in height. Lemon-smelling thyme flowers are light pink.

Flowering occurs in June-July. The plant is sensitive to low temperatures and needs winter shelter.

Popular varieties: "Sylvester Queen" - foliage with snow-white edging; "Golden Duarf" - leaves with yellow spots; "Golden King" - Foliage is green with a yellow border.

Homeland is the Mediterranean.

Flowering shoots of common thyme 15 cm tall. The foliage is cobwebby-pubescent. Flowers purple or white. Used as a medicinal plant.

This species covers several mini subspecies. Several varieties of different colors were also obtained: white Alba , Red "Coccineus" , carmine red "Splendens" . By combining colors, you can create beautiful paintings.

Creeping thyme is found in Russia, in Western and Central Europe.

Perennial, with creeping stems and protruding hairy shoots. Leaves lanceolate, petiolate. Peduncles 15 cm tall.

Creeping thyme flowers are pink-lilac, they are collected in capitate inflorescences. Creeping thyme blooms in August for 30 days.

There are varieties with white, carmine and pink flowers, and variegated forms.

Location of thyme

Prefers sunny places, also withstands shade, but in these conditions it stretches and blooms very poorly.

soil for thyme

It prefers a site with fertile, light, drained soil, which has a neutral or alkaline reaction.

planting thyme

You can plant thyme at any time - the plant is unpretentious, but not in late autumn, because the plant must take root before constant frost.

thyme care

It is not necessary to fertilize thyme, you can add slightly ripe compost or horn flour to the soil. If thyme bushes are constantly pruned, they will be compact and dense. This should be done in the spring or immediately after flowering.

Watering is needed only in dry times, when young shoots are actively growing. There are no diseases, as well as pests on the plant.

Thyme is only harmed by high humidity on heavy soils in rainy weather. The fight against this is mulching the soil with fine gravel and good drainage.

thyme propagation

Cuttings, dividing the bush and seeds. The easiest way to propagate thyme is to divide the bush.

The seed method of reproduction of thyme allows you to get a huge amount of planting material in one season. Thyme is sown in the spring on ridges or in greenhouses.

The seeds are small, seedlings are not noticeable, so you need to carefully monitor their development. Seedlings appear after 4 weeks.

At 2 months, seedlings already form dense bushes and are suitable for planting in a permanent location. Thyme seedlings bloom in the second year.

Thyme is a frost-resistant plant. Under the snow, he easily endures the winter. In a snowless winter, you need shelter with spruce branches, which protects against spring burns.

Uses of thyme

The plant is used on rocky hills, in curbs. Aroma, taste, size, coloring and abundance of flowers - the advantages of the plant do not end there.

The decoration of the flower bed will be silver-white and golden leaves of some varieties of thyme. Thyme bushes emit their fragrance when touched.