Thymus pseudolanuginosus – Woolly Thyme

Woolly Thyme is an exceptional perennial groundcover, prized for its unique texture and foolproof hardiness. It forms a soft, dense, silvery mat that hugs the contours of the ground, creating a soothing visual effect. Ideal for difficult, sunny spots, it tolerates light foot traffic and requires very little maintenance, making it a perfect solution for filling joints between flagstones or dressing up a rock garden.

Characteristics

• Foliage: The plant develops evergreen foliage, its main feature. The tiny, grey-green leaves are completely covered in fine white hairs, which gives them a soft, woolly appearance and texture.
• Flowering: In early summer, it produces a discreet and sparse bloom of tiny pink to lilac flowers. It is grown primarily for the beauty of its foliage.
• Light: It demands full sun to maintain its dense habit and beautiful silvery colour.
• Habit: It forms a very low, creeping mat that spreads across the ground.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height of just 2 to 5 cm, but spreads to cover a diameter of 30 to 45 cm or more.
• Moisture: It prefers soil that dries out completely between waterings.
• Soil: It thrives in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils, as long as the drainage is impeccable. It hates standing water.
• Hardiness: Very hardy, it faces Zone 4 winters without difficulty, especially with good snow cover.
• Watering: Once established, it demonstrates exceptional drought tolerance and very rarely requires watering.
• Resistance: This robust plant resists deer, rabbits, and handles light foot traffic well, which is rare for a groundcover.

Uses

• Types of Use: It is the quintessential choice for planting between flagstones on a path, in the crevices of a stone wall, or in a rock garden. It can also serve as a lawn substitute in very small, dry areas.
• Ornamental Features: Its woolly texture and silvery grey-green colour create a soft, luminous mat that contrasts beautifully with stone. It brings softness and a touch of originality to the garden.

Care

• Fertilizing: It requires no fertilization and is content in poor soils.
• Pruning: Its maintenance is minimal. No pruning is required.
• Planting: Plant it in a very sunny location with soil that does not retain water.