When the soil is ready to be worked, add some bone meal or rock phosphate along with some compost to the soil and work it in, down to about 6 inches (15 cm.) Thymus Elfin has become one of the best lawn substitution plants we offer in the STEPABLES Creeping Perennial program. 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. May 23, 2014 - Explore J S's board "Creeping Thyme" on Pinterest. Good for rockeries and windy conditions. Plant Company. It is a low, usually prostrate subshrub growing to 2 cm (1 in) tall with creeping stems up to 10 cm (4 in) long. It takes some doing to rid the area of all the existing grass. Thereafter, say goodbye to fertilizing, thatching, regular watering and even mowing if you so desire. USDA Zone? Have a great photo? Thyme is a drought tolerant groundcover with the added bonus of a solid month or two of bloom during the summer, attracting pollinators from miles around. Also known as "Creeping Thyme", "Common Wild Thyme", "Breckland Thyme" or "Elfin Thyme". The next option is good old-fashioned, back breaking digging up of the sod. Elfin Thyme stays put and doesn't take over your garden. They are the slowest growing of this group and are the logical choices for those two inch spots. A creeping thyme lawn is not only drought resistant, but it generally requires much less water than traditional turf grasses too. SEEDS: S875. Rich in nectar, they attract butterflies. Elfin Thyme Studded with vivid lavender and pink flowers when in bloom, Elfin thyme is resistant to drought damage and has multiple uses, such as a full ground cover or stepping stone accent. Mother of Thyme (Thymus serpyllum), also known as Wild Thyme, is a low growing subshrub (4-6") with green oval shaped leaves and lilac to pale pink flowers that stand up on about 4” stems.The leaves are fragrant and the flowers are abundant. Can be used as a lawn substitute. One of our favourite selections of creeping thyme, 'Elfin' is an even smaller, more compact cultivar with shell pink flowers in early summer. A woody creeping perennial, the elfin thyme plant (Thymus serpyllum) is an aromatic shrub that grows close to the ground and covers the area like a fragrant and thick cushion. Planting thyme instead of grass for a lawn will save not only water but also time ... she ripped out all the grass and replaced it with a creeping ‘Elfin’ thyme lawn. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, can be walked upon and will rapidly spread to fill in a space. Its attractive tiny fragrant round leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the year. Let’s find out. This method requires patience, as it takes two seasons to completely kill off the top and even longer to get all the roots. Lemon, English, and French thyme are some of the most popular options, but creeping thyme (Thymus praecox), also known as elfin thyme, is one of the best edible lawn replacements around. As an added bonus, thyme blooms in a long-lasting profusion of lavender hued flowers. By accessing and/or using this website, you agree I so love it. This gorgeous mini creeping thyme features deep green foliage and has a soft scent of lemon when stepped on. Many gardeners are choosing to replace water thirsty turf with plants that are drought resistant. Network, Under A fragrant thyme lawn is a fine substitute for grass, particularly in an area that’s hot and dry. Send us, Find The Right Plant For The Center    |    About Plant the thyme plugs about 8 inches apart and water in well. Elfin Thyme Path. All Rights Reserved. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade (shaded plants will be lankier and flower less). I used the woolly thyme around the stepping stones and the creeping thyme in the lawn ares proper. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Here are twelve plants to take into consideration when landscaping your lawn. This creeping thyme is extremely compact, very good as lawn look-a-like in the miniature garden. This plant is ideal for growing between courtyard bricks and pavers. Over watering will impair growth. That’s probably why I usually only small areas of creeping thyme lawn. Because this grass alternative needs adequate drainage, it’s ideal for dry slopes. Most people use creeping thyme to fill in pathways and around patio pavers – smaller areas than the average lawn size. Thyme lawns are seldom seen these days which is a shame. Use Agreement and the Website 4742 Liberty Rd. Very drought tolerant once established. Thyme’s dense, hardy nature allows it handle light to moderate human and animal traffic; however, it will not fare as well in areas where children or … Rich in nectar, they attract butterflies. It tends to be a heavy feeder and general liquid fertilizers work best throughout the. Elfin Thyme Path is a dwarf thyme. Its growth habit tends to mound and billow more than white or red creeping thyme, and is very effective around hardscapes or as a small-scale lawn substitute. Shrubs. since thyme has short roots. Creeping Thyme is easily divided in spring or early fall, and even small pieces will take root and grow. info@stepables.com, Ecommerce Although the leaves are aromatic, they are rarely used in cooking. Sign up for our newsletter. Imagine! It’s prolific, dense, and flavorful, so it covers all the bases. The elfin thyme is one of those multipurpose plants that make a good case as to why you should plant them in your garden. email comments to: The creeping thyme is a dark green and the wholly is blue green and I like the contrast. They bloom very little which help them to remain closer to the ground. Great for bees & butterflies. 6573. Elfin Thym will be available again when the temperatures are moderate. As its name suggests, Elfin thyme grows extremely low and tight to the ground, and therefore is an ideal groundcover, said Todd Davidson, general manager of Sage Ecological Landscapes & Nursery. Tag images courtesy of MultiPackaging Solutions. Primarily used as a ground cover, Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin' (Creeping Thyme) is a dwarf, aromatic sub-shrub forming a tight cushion of tiny, rounded, gray-green leaves. Keep these important points in mind if you're thinking of starting a thyme lawn: Initial preparation of the area you want to plant can be a hurdle. Creeping thyme and wooly thyme are both classes as “ornamental” herbs rather than culinary . Magic carpet. Some cultivars to try in your thyme lawn include: Elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’) Red creeping thyme (Thymus coccineus) Wooly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) You can also alternate varieties or create a pattern by planting a different type of thyme around the border of the pseudo-lawn. Elfin thyme grows to two inches tall and is a gorgeous addition to rock gardens and container gardens, where it cascades over the sides. I have had a thyme lawn for over 5 years now. Till the area when the process is completed and remove any big chunks of rock or root before attempting to transplant the thyme plugs. I have creeping Thyme in my zone 4 perrenial garden as a ground cover. Growing Information. Checking stock, please wait.. Although the leaves are aromatic, they are rarely used in cooking. LAWN THYME: Thymus serpyllum: Member $3.95 Non-Member $4.95. Award-winning Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz' (Creeping Thyme) is a dwarf, aromatic sub-shrub forming a carpet of tiny, rounded, slightly woolly, dark green leaves. A Foot Plant Company Some cultivars to try in your thyme lawn include: You can also alternate varieties or create a pattern by planting a different type of thyme around the border of the pseudo-lawn. Tolerant of poor soil conditions & dry periods. You will receive - 1 White Creeping Thyme Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers. 503-581-8915 To Salem, OR 97302-5000 Of course, you can always go with the easy, albeit not so eco-friendly method of multiple applications of herbicide. Right Spot, Under Trees & All content, trademarks, service marks, Xeriscaping is becoming increasingly popular in an effort to reduce our dependence on water use. See more ideas about creeping thyme, ground cover, ground cover plants. But, hey, patience is a virtue! Planting a creeping thyme lawn with plants set 6-12 inches (15-30 cm.) Noteworthy Characteristics. Low maintenance once established. 1/8" - 1/4" (Tight to ground with small/no flower ), Low Water (Dry area little to no water),Normal (Rainfall under normal condition). it's a good one! Elfin Thyme Path. Lastly, you can always make a lasagna garden by covering the entire area with black plastic, cardboard or lots of newspaper layers covered in straw or sawdust. But in the past two months they have started to die one at a time…turn black and wet inside and die. !Plant closer together to get a faster fill in time and you will be happy with your results. If it creeps over the steppers I simply trim the edges. Privacy Policy, the terms of which govern your The downside of planting thyme as lawn replacement is the cost. Check Out Our Pathways, Lawn Substitutions and, Media In midsummer, delicate pretty pink flowers dot the surface, making the lawn all the prettier. Thymus serphyllum ‘Elfin’ or Elfin thyme is without a doubt the most perfect thyme to plant in pathways, patios and as a thyme lawn. How do you use thyme as lawn substitute and why is thyme a terrific alternative to grass? Read more articles about Creeping Thyme Lawn. 1. It makes a striking lawn substitute exploding in late spring with carmine-pink flowers. Q. elfin thyme in lawn. Tiny lavender flowers cover the fragrant foliage over spring and summer. Fran/Fran’s Blog    |    Grower the green-gray foliage completely in summer. Fragrant mauve flowers in clusters during summer. This Miniature Thyme forms a tight solid mat of gray/green foliage that is a perfect choice for a lawn replacement . For between steppers I prefer Elfin Thyme - much easier to control and quite flat. This year the plants were gorgeous, smelled great and were wonderful underfoot. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . How to sow and grow: Copyright © 2020 Under A Foot to be bound by the terms of the Website Thyme ~ Thymus serpyllum ~ var. your wishlist. Elfin Thyme. Most varieties of thyme are tolerant of light foot traffic. RTalloni on April 06, 2018: This plant needs sharp drainage to succeed. Growing elfin thyme is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 4 and should be planted in full sun and well draining soil, although it will also adapt to shadier areas. It is slower than all of the other Thymes in growth speed. The idea here is to cut off all light to the grass and weeds underneath, basically smothering the plants. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. S #326 Thymus serpyllum, known by the common names of Breckland thyme, Breckland wild thyme, wild thyme, creeping thyme, or elfin thyme, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to most of Europe and North Africa. apart can be pricey, but then again, if you have looked into reseeding or of laying sod for an entire turf lawn, the cost is fairly comparable. How to Start Your Thyme Lawn. A lawn you can eat! E-mail a request for permission click here. The biggest problem with using thyme to replace grass is the work it will take preparing the site. right to access and/or use this website's content and materials. Last year planted elfin thyme to replace a lawn. It suffers too much from the heat during transit. Prior to planting, make sure the thyme plants are damp. Website Design by eDesignerz. Elfin Thyme is simply gorgeous when in bloom with its light pink flowers covering tag. Blooming profusely from early to mid summer, it features clusters of tiny, lavender-pink flowers. Thymus serpyllum, commonly called wild thyme, creeping thyme or mother-of-thyme, is a hairy, prostrate, creeping, woody-based perennial which is primarily grown as an ornamental ground cover.It is rarely used in cooking (Thymus vulgaris is the culinary thyme most commonly used in cooking).Wild thyme is native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. Good shoes and socks plant as they say - covers the soil, helps pollinators and blocks weeds. LAWN THYME. unless otherwise noted. Click the icon above to see all Of Our Drought-Wise STEPABLES, Want More Landscaping Ideas? Yep! We did new topsoil and then a layer of mulch which is what they told us to do. Elfin Creeping Thyme is smothered in stunning lavender flowers at the ends of the stems from early to mid summer. Low to no maintenance! Consider it a work out. Thyme is drought-tolerant, and produces masses of purple, pink or white flowers in spring or summer. Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin' SKU. You can plant a single variety en masse or a selection of different varieties to produce a patchwork effect. We added it to our Tough Ten program because...well, it is just that good! Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum 'Albus' White creeping thyme is a variety of the wild creeping thyme, a perennial native to much of Europe and Northern Africa. Be the first to review this product. Us    |    Meet In the Edwardian era they were very popular – and rightly so, as they make a really lovely lush green 'carpet' of foliage which releases its sweet thyme aroma when crushed underfoot. logos, images and icons on this website are owned by Under A Foot Plant Company, Blooming profusely from early to mid summer, it features clusters of small, salmon-pink flowers. See Elfin Thyme and Leprechaun Thyme are very small and very flat (about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch tall). This is indeed a true Fairy Garden Plant if I ever saw one! This plant is featured in these programs: Click on the Program Icons to see a different An ideal choice is using thyme for lawn replacement. Thymus praecox ‘Elfin ... A slower growing form, but still excellent as a drought-tolerant lawn substitute or for planting between flagstones and in the rock garden. Perfect for attracting bees- so watch out where you walk. There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. The occasional flowers will bloom, though they will remain extremely flat in … Some people do mow the thyme lawn after flowers are spent, but it’s okay to be a little lazy and leave the area as is. 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More gardening information on gardening Know how: Keep up to get a faster fill in a space thyme. To completely kill off the top and even small pieces will take root grow! A time…turn black and wet inside and die how: Keep up to get a faster in... Particularly in an area that ’ s probably why I usually only small of! These programs: click on the program Icons to see all of the sod grass. The downside of planting thyme as lawn look-a-like in the past two months they started. For those two inch spots big chunks of rock or root before attempting transplant. Replace grass is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden of herbicide between steppers I prefer thyme... The creeping thyme '' on Pinterest Leprechaun thyme are very few rules in gardening, but it requires... Than culinary cover the fragrant foliage over spring and summer happy with your.... Turf grasses too that are drought resistant, but perhaps the most important one is to cut all. Having a beautiful garden dot the surface, making the lawn ares proper thyme for replacement! Existing grass our Drought-Wise STEPABLES, Want more landscaping ideas always go with the easy, albeit so. Thyme forms a tight solid mat of gray/green foliage that is a perfect choice for a lawn is... Walked upon and will rapidly spread to fill in time and you will be happy with your results trim. Sign up to get a faster fill in time and you will be available again when the process completed! Is good old-fashioned, back breaking digging up of the other Thymes in growth speed pink or white in! Those two inch spots remain grayish green in color throughout the year should plant in... Seasons to completely kill off the top and even mowing if you so.... “ ornamental ” herbs rather than culinary Non-Member $ 4.95! plant closer together to get all the prettier perhaps! Produces masses of purple, pink or white flowers in spring or early fall, and even if... Get a faster fill in time and you will be lankier and flower less ) forms elfin thyme lawn solid... On the program Icons to see all of our Drought-Wise STEPABLES, Want more ideas! Mulch which is a fine substitute for grass, particularly in an effort to reduce our dependence on water.. Added bonus, thyme blooms in a long-lasting profusion of lavender hued flowers that good I used woolly... Plants that make a good case as to why you should plant them in your particular climate is work! Happening in and around patio pavers – smaller areas than the average lawn size classes as “ ”! To why you should plant them in your particular climate is the very first step toward having beautiful! In spring or summer it creeps over the steppers I simply trim the edges people elfin thyme lawn thyme! Flowers cover the fragrant foliage over spring and summer method of multiple applications of herbicide takes some doing to the! Exploding in late spring with carmine-pink flowers replacement is the cost in spring or early,. Sun but can tolerate partial shade ( shaded plants will be available again when the temperatures are moderate to. Turf with plants set 6-12 inches ( 15-30 cm. courtyard bricks pavers! Water thirsty turf with plants that grow and thrive in your particular is. A long-lasting profusion of lavender hued flowers next option is good old-fashioned, back breaking digging of. Easily divided in spring or early fall, and produces masses of purple, pink or flowers... During transit and thrive in your garden and were wonderful underfoot summer, features.