Creeping Thyme Purple Perennial Ground Cover Fragrant HERB Fragrant Summer Blooms Non-GMO 300 Seeds
Pure Seed – Non-GMO – Fresh – No Filler
SUMMARY INFORMATION
- Creeping Thyme Purple Perennial Ground Cover, Fragrant, Blooms the first year, 2-4". Commonly referred to as Red Creeping Thyme
- There is a lot to love about Red Creeping Thyme. In early summer Red Creeping Thyme covers the floor of your garden in a sea of magenta or lavender-red.
- A low, mat-forming plant with fragrant foliage as well as beautiful blooms, it is easy and irresistible in any sunny setting.
- Just a few inches high, the plant is densely covered with tiny, dark green, shiny leaves that are intensely aromatic when crushed—plant them between paving stones and enjoy their fragrance every time you pass by. You'll find yourself in wonderland with the thick carpet of fragrant vivid blooms carpeting your garden.
- Evergreen in the South, semievergreen in the North.
- Plant 12 to 15 inches apart in full sun and well-drained soil.
- They will start blooming in late spring, reaching 12-18 inches wide and only a couple of inches tall.
- Thymus or thymon is Greek for "courage." Through the centuries it has been used for traditions relating to this theme. Roman soldiers bathed in thyme water, European knights carried thyme tokens. Other folklore talks of thyme as being the home of fairies.
ABOUT CREEPING THYME
- Creeping Thyme is a popular and adaptive woolly thyme ground cover that is popular for landscape designs.
- Used often as borders on flower beds and in between pavers on walkways, this is a ground cover that can handle moderate foot traffic.
- Flowering Creeping Thyme is not generally susceptible to disease or insects but can provide a barrier for veggies and ornamental plantings.
WHEN TO PLANT CREEPING THYME SEEDS
- Creeping thyme is evergreen in zones 4 through 9 but will darken during winter.
- Creeping Thyme is a perennial herb which will over-winter well in zones 4-9.
- Direct sow seeds outdoors in late spring when temperatures are consistently in the high 60's or above.
- Seeds can also be started indoors 8-10 weeks before your average last frost date.
WHERE TO PLANT CREEPING THYME SEEDS
- Thyme lawn prefers well-drained soil with a neutral pH (between 6.5 and 7.5) in an area where it receives good sun, but can also tolerate partial shade.
- Creeping thyme is a slow grower and will take more than one season to reach its full potential.
HOW TO PLANT CREEPING THYME SEEDS
- Direct Sow seeds outdoors when temperatures are consistently in the high 60s or above.
- Division of established plantings can be done in March and April.
- Fall plantings should be avoided to protect against freeze damage, unless there is little to no snow . Red creeping thyme is usually very resistant and can survive even after the snow in most cases.
- Average germination time should be approximately 21-28 days and seeds should be kept consistently moist until germination is strong.
- When planting, seeds should not be covered with soil, but rather pressed into the soil.
- Good seed to soil contact is necessary for ideal germination rates.
- Once seeds are germinating well, water to a depth of 6 inches when the top few inches of soil dries out.
- A light mulching may be helpful to retain moisture in warmer and drier climates, but if seeds are planted in between pavers or in shadier areas mulching is usually not necessary.
- A light dose of delayed release fertilizer can be useful if you are planting in poorer soil, but good soil preparation (mixing in a 2-3 inch layer of manure, compost or other organic material prior to planting) should negate the need for fertilizer.
HOW TO CARE FOR CREEPING THYME
- Creeping Thyme will not thrive in excessively clay or sandy soils.
- Creeping Thyme will grow between 2-3 inches high and each established plant can spread to approximately 1 foot wide.
- After several years the center of plants will become woody and start to die back.
- Dead parts can be carefully cut back and healthy outer parts of the plant can be replanted.