Susan is also blogging at GardenRant.Creeping Thymes
They're evergreen, low-growing and drought-tolerant groundcovers that takes a bit of stepping on. They smell good, too.
Uses
Great around stepping stones. Can take light traffic. But will they replace your lawn? Not without spending a lot of money. That's because they spread too slowly to cover much ground with just a few starter plants.
Types
Thymes that are most commonly used as groundcovers are the T. praecox and T. pseudolanuginosus (wooly thyme). Wooly (top photo) blooms less than most thymes but is reported to be the best one for tolerating foot traffic.
Details
- Happy in full sun to light shade.
- All thymes require excellent drainage and prefer loose, dry, even poor soils. They'll tolerate rich soils if they're given really good drainage.
- Grows 1 to 6 inches tall.
- Happy in Zones 5-8.
Care
- VERY drought-tolerant, so supplemental watering is rarely required after they're established.
Good Information in Print
- Covering Ground
by Barbara W. Ellis - The Well Tended Perennial Garden
by Tracy DiSabato-Aust is the best-selling book on how to make your perennials healthier and better-looking.
Location matters
I grow thymes in the Washington, D.C. area, Zone 7A. If you've grown it and want to add your two cents, drop me a note. Susan