If you have ever had the pleasure of walking
across a carpet of thyme you quickly realize why English settlers brought it to the US
with them. Thyme is by far one of the most favorite herbs in the perennial garden.
The distinct aroma is warm and exotic and the foliage has a very fine texture. Thyme
plants are native to the Mediterranean and is considered to be hardy in zones 3 - 7.
It is prone to disease and insect infestation in the deep south and we usually
don't recommend it to our southern gardening friends. The growth habit varies among
cultivars but most plants grow somewhere between 6 and 12 inched tall. While some
selections of Thyme are very useful in the kitchen others are grown solely for their
landscape value. The taller varieties make perfect low growing hedges for formal
borders while the low growing or creeping varieties are ideal for tucking between stepping
stones or used as groundcovers. (pictured
above: English Thyme)
Growing Thyme:
Plants should be situated in full sun to very light shade. If grown
in to much shade the foliage may stay to damp and begin to rot. Thyme prefers a soil
that is light and well drained. The soil should be amended lightly just to improve
structure. Plants do not like an acidic soil so you many need to add lime in order
to adjust pH levels. Soil must drain
very well so it may necessary to add some sand to your soil. Be careful when
mulching plants not to get the material to deep around the stem of the plant. Spreading or
mat-forming varieties should not be mulched at all. Feed plants in very early spring
with a combination of blood and bone meal. Liquid feed once in the summer with
compost tea or fish emulsion. Plants will need little to no care except for an
occasional light pruning which should be carried out in early spring. Be
careful not to over water - Thyme prefers soil that is a bit on the dry side.
Thyme
Zones: 3 - 7
Propagation: seed and division
Problems: Root rot will set in if grown in wet areas
Notes: Avoid over watering plants - water only during extended dry
spells
(time)
