Grandma was a sweet and generous woman who loved spending time with her family and garden. She would always buy the sugar cereals that my parents refused to buy, and she would bake us cookies and cakes accompanied by delicious tea with milk as we watched TV together some evenings. Grandma was very fond of her flowers, and she would often go outside to garden or visit friends’ gardens. My sister and I often accompanied her as she was gardening and grandma pointed out all sorts of interesting facts about each of her plants.
One of the most memorable flowers that Grandma tended to in her garden was red creeping thyme. This added such an elegant touch to her yard and it illustrated her sense of style. My sister and I often accompanied her in her garden as she pointed out certain kinds of plants and told us all about them. I learned a lot about the beautiful flower ground cover that thrived there. Now that I’m an adult and have my own garden, I want to plant creeping thyme cover like grandma did. This article will address all things red creeping thyme: What it is, how to plant it as ground cover, the benefits of planting it, and more.
Why plant ground covers like Red Creeping Thyme to beautify your garden or replace lawns?
Planting ground covers in your garden can help to conserve soil and stop erosion. Combined with other plants, red creeping thyme, which comes from the plant species
thymus praecox, can create a more lush and diverse look in your garden. It is a full sun thyme ground cover ready to plant in early summer so it is great for lawns, plus its hardiness keeps it looking great.
It can also provide shade and be used as an attractive border in a rock garden or mid-ground plant. These types of thyme varieties can also be used it to replace grass on your lawn.
Planting red creeping thyme as a border to a walkway in spring is a great way to make your pavers stand out on all of your pathways It is a fragrant herb and will offer a warm welcome to all who come to see you. It is low-maintenance so even if some of the shrubs are in part sun some of the time, and others are in a sunny spot, it will still thrive.
Red creeping thyme is a hardy perennial plant that can be found in garden centers and nurseries. It is known for its attractive foliage and has many benefits for the garden. You may want to give it a try this summer, or start growing it indoors sooner.
To learn about Spanish Lavender:
Why Red Creeping Thyme Is an Optimal Ground Cover or Lawn Replacement
There are many reasons why planting creeping thyme in your garden is a great idea. Here are the 10 benefits of planting Red Creeping Thyme.
- Red Creeping Thyme has a long lifespan, so it can be enjoyed for years to come.
- It attracts pollinators to your garden, which helps to increase the yields of fruits and vegetables.
- The red color of creeping thyme makes it a visual attraction for birds in your garden.
- Creeping thyme is an optimal groundcover because of its drought-tolerance and low maintenance requirements.
- It can be walked on without fuss.
- It can spread rapidly to fil
- l in space.
- Blooms are long-lasting. Plants are comparable in cost to sod, so if you would like this instead of a lawn, it will not cost you more to plant these guys at 6–12 inches apart in whatever space you want filled in. Or, you can propagate by dividing roots or stem cuttings taken in the early spring for a no-cost spread.
- Enjoy decreased pest and weed problems thanks to its natural deterrents.
- Its delightful fragrance is a perfect addition to any space.
Creeping Red Thyme Seeds – 2000 Mix Ground Cover Bulk for Planting
Creeping Thyme Planting, Care, and Propagation Tips
- Red creeping thyme is an easy-to-grow perennial and it is tolerant of a variety of climates and soils. Creeping thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a hardy herb that can be grown in many regions of the country. It prefers full sun or dappled shade, and tolerates most soils and conditions. Red creeping thyme grows best in USDA hardiness zones four through nine.
- Gardeners should know that it prefers well-draining soil that is either a bit on the alkaline side or neutral. It can be grown in a greenhouse and then the young plant can be transplanted outside when the weather permits.
- It can be propagated easily by root division or stem cuttings taken in the early springtime.
- Creeping thyme should be planted in early to late summer when the soil becomes warm and slightly damp. Make sure to keep the planting area well-watered during dry periods, especially if you live in an area where drought is common.
- Creeping thyme needs regular watering throughout its growing period; water it deeply once a week even when there isn’t rain forecast for at least two days.
- Once it is established, Red Creeping Thyme is easy to care for and requires only moderate watering, occasional deadheading and an occasional prune.
- Do not over water even when you see new growth to avoid possible root rot. If you make this type of easy commitment to your thyme ground cover, it will reward you in the spring the following year.
- Fertilize your red creeping thyme shrubs every six weeks with a balanced plant fertilizer diluted to 1/4–1/2 strength. Red Creeping Thyme has properties within it that will help to increase the soil’s fertility, which in turn will improve your garden’s growth rate and yield.
- Once growth slows down noticeably, discontinue fertilization except on rare occasions due to mineral deficiency symptoms like brown patches on older leaves, which may suggest iron deficiency .
For more learning about planting and caring for Red Creeping Thyme, Terra Mater Gardens will show you more in this 2 minute video:
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a perennial ground cover that’s both beautiful and functional, look no further than creeping thyme. Not only does this plant add visual interest to your garden, but it also helps to control ground cover pests and add essential nutrients to the soil.
Not only is creeping thyme a great addition to any garden, but its impressive array of benefits makes it a must-have in any home landscape.
May your garden be healthy and vibrant!
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