Scientific Name:
Thymus serpyllum
Pronunciation:
TYE-mus sur-PILL-um
Common Name:
mother of thyme, creeping thyme
Family Name:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Ground cover
Key ID Features:
Prostrate, mat-forming evergreen herb with hairy stems (woody at base); leaf blades mostly oval, 3-8mm long, petioles 1-3 mm long; flowers strongly scented, 4-6mm long, in terminal spike-like verticillasters.
Habit:
Dense, Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Container planting, Fragrance, Ground cover, Perennial border, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include T. 'Elfin' (syn. T. praecox 'Elfin'), and T. 'Pink chintz', and T. 'Major' (Coccineus Group). Compare to T. praecox (share the same common names).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent, Distinctive smell
Shapes:
Elliptic, Linear, Ovate
Margins:
Ciliate
Inflorescence Type:
Verticillaster, Floriferous, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Purple (lilac, pink-purple, magenta, or a rarely white)
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets" that are enclosed in a persistent calyx
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Runners (or stolons)
Propagation:
Division - below ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
(Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- HORT 2355
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (GRBW) GRass Bed West
- (ONE) Overpass North side East : cvs. Pink Chintz & a golden cv.