Carpet Lilac Thyme

Harvesting creeping thyme.

Carpet lilac thyme.

Primarily used as a ground cover thymus serpyllum magic carpet creeping thyme is a dwarf aromatic sub shrub forming a tight cushion of tiny rounded dark green leaves. Blooming profusely from early to mid summer it features clusters of tiny bright magenta pink flowers. If you want to dry thyme leaves wait till after the plant has bloomed then harvest the fresh growth. This flat growing variety features tiny dark green leaves smothered by bright mauve purple flowers in early summer.

Purple carpet creeping thyme will grow to be only 2 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 inches tall with the flowers with a spread of 14 inches. Creeping thyme is easily divided in spring or early fall and even small pieces will take root and. A strong grower ideal as a drought tolerant lawn substitute or for planting between flagstones tolerating moderate foot traffic. Its attractive tiny fragrant oval leaves remain green in color throughout the year.

Magic carpet thyme is smothered in stunning spikes of lilac purple flowers rising above the foliage from early to mid summer. Perfect for hot dry exposed sites. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. Grows to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide with gray green narrow to oval leaves.

Great for containers or herb gardens. Although the leaves are aromatic they are rarely used in cooking. There are several types of creeping thyme that come in different colors and characteristics. This is probably the most used.

This fragrant creeping plant has tiny dark green leaves and in june produces heads of lilac flowers. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart. Deep lilac pink summer flowers. Rich in nectar they attract butterflies.

As an herb thyme is used to flavor not only meats but also soups and stews olives and olive oil bread and desserts. Serpyllum creeping thyme is a native of northern africa europe and asia and has naturalized in north america. It creates a purple carpet that can be walked over hence its name. Below are some of the most popular types.

Thyme lawns thyme seats cracks in paths and steps garden edging plant. The leaves can be used fresh or dry for seasoning fish poultry stuffing soups and vegetables. It is very low growing and covered in beautiful lavender flowers during early to mid summer. Design your own summer flower carpet with creeping thymes.

If you will be growing thyme for culinary purposes note that you can use it either fresh or dried.