Mother of Thyme is an ideal choice for planting between walkway stones, edging the flower or vegetable garden, or cascading over rocks or wood in a terraced garden. Its dense, spreading habit makes it the ideal groundcover, while its rich fragrance and bright blooms add immeasurably to the appeal of any landscape.
This perennial thyme is very adaptable and tough, though to look at its lush display, you would never guess at its resilience. The blooms attract butterflies and bees, while the intense fragrance seems to deter nibbling rabbits and deer. The perfect combination.
Evergreen in most areas and quite drought resistant once it has become established, Mother of Thyme is a good choice for just about any bare, sunny, well-drained patch of soil. This prostrate, mat-forming perennial with slim stems is lined with tiny, oval, hairy leaves. Clusters of pink-purple flowers appear in summer on plants that reach ½ to 3 inches tall and up to 3 feet wide.
Grow Mother of Thyme as you would other thyme varieties: direct sow in well-drained garden soil receiving full sun, or begin indoors. Germination can be slow (up to one month), but once the seeds sprout, there's no stopping them. Thyme isn't a member of the mint family for nothing. For best coverage as a groundcover, avoid planting in very cold or wet areas, and space plants 18 inches apart.
