These aromatic Mediterranean perennials include many types used for culinary purposes, as well as others used as ornamental groundcovers. Creeping Thyme makes an excellent low-water use groundcover to replace lawn. Tiny green to gray-green aromatic leaves and masses of tiny flowers in spring or summer. Best in sun with excellent drainage. Shear taller plants occasionally for best form and more flowers.

Examples: The following examples are all available in many named varieties.

• Lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus, 1’ x 2’) has a lemony fragrance.
• Creeping thyme (T. praecox, 2-6” x 2-3’) provides an excellent groundcover between stepping stones.
• Woolly thyme (T. pseudolanuginosus, 2-4” x 3’) has wooly gray leaves.
• Elfin thyme (T. serpyllum ‘Elfin’, 1-2” x 6-12”) is one of the smallest thymes with tiny leaves and a very compact growth habit.
• Common thyme (T. vulgaris, 1’ x 2’) and named varieties are most commonly used for culinary purposes.