Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a most practical and fragrant ground cover plant, perfect for adding a touch of greenery and a pleasant scent to your garden without much fuss. Its evergreen foliage forms a dense mat, ideal for sunny and dry spots. This tough little plant is a smart choice for gardeners around here, as it's well-suited to our Quebec climate.

Key Features

• Foliage: Small, oval, dark green leaves, very aromatic, creating a fine texture and a pleasant fragrance when crushed or walked on.
• Habit: Creeping, forming a dense and low mat that spreads easily, ideal for covering large areas or the spaces between stones.
• Growth: Moderate to fast, spreading by its stems that root upon contact with the soil, forming an effective ground cover.
• Maintenance: Easy, requiring little attention once established, tolerating drought and poor soils well.
• Flowering: Small pink, purple, or white flowers that appear in summer, attracting bees and butterflies, adding a delicate touch of colour.

Care Tips

• Light: Full sun, essential for dense growth and abundant flowering. Lack of sun can make the foliage less compact and the flowering less generous.
• Watering: Tolerates drought once established. Water moderately during planting and during prolonged dry periods, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil, even if it's poor or rocky. Avoid heavy and waterlogged soils that can lead to root rot.
• Humidity: Has no special humidity requirements and adapts well to dry conditions.
• Temperature: Very hardy and cold-tolerant, adapted to Quebec winters. It thrives in warm summer temperatures.
• Fertilization: Generally not necessary. A light application of compost in the spring can be beneficial, but avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers that can promote excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering.