Thymus Serpyllum Plants

Geography

• Also known as mother of thyme or creeping thyme, Thymus serpyllum grows as a wild plant in northern sections of Europe. In North America, wild thyme is appropriate for landscapes in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. It remains green when winters are mild.

Features

• Wild thyme only grows to 3 inches high, though the plants can spread out as wide as 12 inches. The small, woody stems form a dense mat, with the foliage extremely small -- just 1/4 inch in length. The rounded leaves are glossy shades of greenish-blue. The leaves are fragrant, but unlike other types of thyme, Thymus serpyllum is not of particular use as a seasoning for cooking. During June and July, tiny and pink flower clusters emerge on wild thyme.

Growing Conditions

• Few problems occur when trying to grow wild thyme in the landscape. The perennial

  does well in soil with medium or low moisture. Damp and wet areas are poor locations for this species, since it tends to develop root rot when planted there. Poor quality soil does not prevent Thymus serpyllum's growth. It tolerates drought and you can prune it back to prevent it from spreading where you do not want it to be.

Uses

• Tyhmus serpyllum excels as a ground cover. Use it to fill in the open spaces between the stepping stones on a patio or pathway. Employ it in rock gardens to take advantage of its colorful flowers and small stature. Wild thyme is also able to sprawl over rocks and stony ledges on your property to either cover them from view or make them more interesting.