The answer to this question depends on how you want your creeping thyme to look. If you want to control the size and the spread of the plant, then it’s a good idea to prune it back periodically. This will keep it under control and allow it to grow in a neat, uniform shape.
Pruning should be done in the spring and summer when the thyme is actively growing.
It’s best to prune the thyme using garden shears or trimming scissors and to remove no more than ⅓ of the shoots or stems at a time. This will ensure that you don’t damage or kill the plant. You may also need to deadhead after flowering has finished to keep the plant tidy and looking neat.
If you don’t want to prune back your creeping thyme, you can leave it to grow naturally. Creeping thyme can be a low-maintenance, evergreen ground cover. However, it’s important to remember that it can spread rapidly, so if you’re not careful, it can potentially take over large areas of your lawn or garden.
So if you plan on letting your creeping thyme go wild, make sure that you’re prepared for this and take the necessary precautions.
How long does creeping thyme last?
Creeping thyme is a hearty perennial that is known for its long-lasting beauty, often withstanding cold temperatures lingering into early spring. As an evergreen, its foliage can remain attractive and green throughout most of the year.
In favorable climates, plants of creeping thyme can survive for many years, providing enjoyment for years to come in the garden. Creeping thyme also has an aromatic scent, with fragrant foliage adding a sweet and herby scent to patios and gardens.
Is creeping thyme an annual or perennial?
Creeping thyme is a perennial herb. It is evergreen, meaning it will stay green and vibrant in wintertime and revive with more growth and vigor in the spring. Creeping thyme is hardy in zones 3-9, and will grow in a variety of soils.
This herb is known for its lovely scent, which emanates from its small, bright pink to purple flowers. Creeping thyme is not very tall—usually standing no more than 4-6 inches—and makes a great ground cover or living mulch, helping to preserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
It also attracts bees and other beneficial insects, making it a great addition to any garden.
What does creeping thyme look like in winter?
Creeping thyme is an evergreen herb that has a creeping, mat-like growing habit. In the winter, the plant will still appear low and spread out, with small evergreen leaves, often backed by golden-brown shades.
The small leaves are roughly oval shaped and generally 1-3mm long and green with a small white edge. The stems of creeping thyme are woody with small branches and will reach out from the center of the mat.
During the winter the blossoms will be dormant but the foliage may turn a slightly more purplish-green, providing the winter landscape with muted and subtle color.
Will creeping thyme choke out other plants?
Creeping thyme (Thymus sp. ) can be an aggressive grower, particularly in gardens with well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine. If given the right conditions, it can form dense mats of foliage and flowers that may choke out other plants.
It is important to keep an eye on creepers such as thyme and maintain good plant health by trimming back any overgrown areas regularly. This will help to prevent them from becoming too dense and invasive.
It is also important to choose companion plants that can compete with their growth rate. For example, plants with deep roots, like daisies or ornamental grasses, may be better suited than shallow-rooted groundcovers like vinca.
Additionally, it’s best to avoid other creepers that may be more aggressive than thyme and could out-compete it and other plants in the garden. With proper care and selection of the right plants, creeping thyme can be an attractive addition to the garden without overwhelming its other inhabitants.
What can I plant next to creeping thyme?
You can plant a variety of flowers and herbs next to creeping thyme. Some of the best plants to grow near creeping thyme include alyssum, sweet alyssum, lavender, rock cress, santolina, verbena, yarrow, catmint, dianthus, and ornamental grasses.
These companion plants will not only compliment the look of the creeping thyme but will also benefit it by helping to keep weeds down, improving soil fertility and drainage, and providing structure and windbreaks.
In addition, these plants will attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and pollinators. It’s important to choose companion plants that require similar growing conditions as creeping thyme and do not require too much water or competition from aggressive weeds.
Depending on your preferences, you can create beautiful borders, vibrant colour combinations, fragrant pathways and even container gardens with the plants that you choose to pair with the creeping thyme.
Is creeping thyme a fast growing ground cover?
No, creeping thyme is not a fast growing ground cover. It grows relatively slowly, spreading by creeping horizontal stems, and can take several years to fill in an area. That being said, it is an especially hardy and low-maintenance plant that will require very little attention as it matures.
With adequate sunlight and soil drainage, creeping thyme can make an ideal groundcover. The leaves of the plant are evergreen and scented, making it great for creating paths and natural barriers. If regularly pruned and trimmed, creeping thyme can become quite lush.
Depending on the growing conditions, it can grow anywhere from 0.1-0.3 m in height.
Is creeping thyme toxic to dogs?
No, creeping thyme is not toxic to dogs. In fact, thyme is a tasty herb for many animals, including dogs, and can even be beneficial for their health. Thyme is known to aid digestion and have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral qualities, helping to boost the immune system and promote overall well-being.
It’s generally considered safe for dogs to chew on leaves or flowers of the plant, although it may be best to limit the amount your pup ingests at one time due to the strong flavor. Some dogs may experience minor side effects, such as nausea or diarrhea, if they consume too much.
However, no major adverse reactions have been reported. As with any new food, it’s best to make sure it’s safe for your pet before feeding it.
Can I plant creeping thyme in fall?
Yes, you can plant creeping thyme in the fall! It is best planted right before the first hard frost so that it can take root before winter. Planting in the fall will give the thyme a head start on the spring, and if you live in a mild climate where temperatures rarely dip too low, it may even continue to spread and fill in through winter.
When selecting thyme to plant choose a variety that is cold hardy and best for your region. When planting, make sure to space your seeds 3-4 inches apart in loose and well-drained soil. You also want to make sure the plants get plenty of sun and are watered regularly, but avoid over-watering which could cause the roots of the creeping thyme to rot.
How many creeping thyme seeds do I need?
The exact number of creeping thyme seeds you will need will depend on how large the area is that you are wanting to plant, but as a general guideline a good rule of thumb is to use about two to three grams of creeping thyme seeds for every square meter of space.
This should be enough to produce a nice, healthy, weed-free carpet of thyme. It is important to space the seeds evenly so that the plants will have enough space to spread out without becoming overcrowded.
Additionally, you should make sure the soil is well-draining so that the plants do not become waterlogged.