Lemon thyme is a fragrant ground cover for flower beds and rockery.
Thymes citriodorus is a low-maintenance perennial with pinkish-purple flowers. This thyme grows like a cushion. It is an enrichment for the garden as well as for the kitchen. The small, light green leaves of wild thyme are perfect for adding flavour to dishes. They give them a special zing with their fragrant, lemony and spicy aroma. Thyme is a member of the labiate family. The small flowers appear from July to August. The fragrant light purple flowers attract bees and bumblebees. They stand in tiers above the bright yellow-green flowers, which have an intense lemony fragrance. The thyme ground cover grows compactly and carpet-like like a scent cushion. The evergreen plant grows to around ten centimetres high and a maximum of 15 centimetres with flowers. The thyme grows up to 30 centimetres wide. It beautifies flower beds, rock gardens, cottage gardens and adds a fragrant touch to walls and rock gardens.
The thyme groundcover adds accents of fragrance and colour
The small yellow-green leaves of the thyme stand out against the pink-purple leaves. The leaves are ovate to round, the fine leaves lip-shaped. If you cut off the faded flowers, you will encourage the plant to flower again. When you buy a thyme plant, you can use it in many ways in the garden. Lemon thyme looks beautiful in the garden as well as in a planter on the terrace or balcony. At the edge of the bed, a creeping thyme forms a pink flower cover in summer. The ground cover is robust and undemanding. You can combine it with other types of thyme as well as with rosemary, wild strawberry or sage It is also an excellent companion plant for roses
Location and soil
The thyme ground cover prefers a full sun location. Thyme can cope with normal, well-drained garden soil. A nutrient-poor, somewhat dry soil is ideal. In case of prolonged drought, water the plant regularly and allow the soil to dry out in between. Like many other Mediterranean plants, the plant does not tolerate waterlogging well. After a while, the thyme also conquers joints or stone cracks. It is hardy and hardly requires any work. Spending time near it is a pleasure. The thyme spreads a lemony fragrance throughout the summer. The best time to plant it is in spring or autumn, otherwise all year round. Thyme looks best in small tufts. For an area planting in beds and borders, you will need twelve plants per square metre. The evergreen lemon thyme is also a striking accent in winter. It gives it a Mediterranean character. Protect the hardy plant with some brushwood or leaves during long dry periods.
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