In addition, the evergreen vegetation does a vital job of cleaning the air, trapping carbon dioxide, preventing soil erosion, lowering noise levels, and reducing temperatures. Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn is good for the environment.įor example, a lawn reduces hard surfaces like brick paving and concrete in your yard. It’s good to remember that lawns aren’t just for appearance. Their spreading nature means ground cover thyme plants form a carpet of lush green foliage that requires little maintenance.īut why look for a lawn alternative? Why not just keep maintaining your existing turfgrass to enhance the aesthetics of your property? Varieties of low-growing thyme like red creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’ only grow 2 to 3 inches (5 – 7.5 cm) tall. What is Creeping Thyme Lawn?Ī creeping thyme lawn is a superb alternative to turfgrass. What is it about creeping thyme lawn that makes it so popular as an evergreen ground cover plant in place of a lawn? Is it easy to maintain a creeping thyme lawn? And how can you replace your existing lawn with creeping thyme? This article answers these questions and more. Because it’s ideal for xeriscaping, creeping thyme is a popular plant to grow in place of traditional lawn grasses. The fast-spreading creeping plant quickly takes root in the soil, and its evergreen foliage stays green throughout the year. Also, a creeping thyme lawn thrives in full sun and doesn’t suffer sun scorch like traditional turfgrass.Ĭreeping thyme is one of the many plants suitable as a lawn alternative. Additionally, creeping thyme transforms your yard every summer with a blanket of pink, purple or magenta-red flowers - something a typical lawn can never do. Planting low-growing creeping thyme as a lawn substitute is easier to maintain and requires less watering. A slightly mounding growth habit will result from lower sun exposure.Īs a named variety, Elfin thyme is only reproduced by vegetative propagation, as if it’s seed propagated it won’t always come true.Share on Email Share on Pinterest Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedInĪ creeping thyme lawn is an excellent alternative to a traditional lawn. Grown in full sun or at least four to six hours of sun will give it compact flat growth. Don’t plant it under eaves or where it will get winter wet, and don’t use salt based de-icers as this will kill it. Plant in very well drained soil if you have clay soil, add some turkey grit or small gravel for extra drainage. The perfect time to do this is if a good rainy spell is in the forecast as hot and dry weather can put an end to them quickly. This year, they are all blooming and filling in nicely. Two years ago, I pulled up generous clumps from an established planting and gave them to the Stairway to Heaven. One of my favorite uses for this variety of thyme is planted around stone steps it fills in quickly and cascades down to cover the sides to soften them. I love the texture of Elfin thyme, like a rough carpet to wriggle your toes in. Pruned back to control the growth just encourages it to grow thicker than ever. The honey made from all kinds of thyme is sought after by the connoisseur. I plant it specifically to attract bees because of the huge quantities of wild pollinators and domestic honeybees that come for the nectar it produces in abundance. This is a very pretty plant, seldom bothered by die-back or diseases. The way the growth appears like scales, on this extremely low-to-the-ground variety is unique. The very fine, compact growth of medium green tiny leaves is covered in pink blooms for about three weeks at the end of June or into July. Thymus serphyllum ‘Elfin’ or Elfin thyme is without a doubt the most perfect thyme to plant in pathways, patios and as a thyme lawn. Other links on this site may lead to other companies that I’m associated with. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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