Thymus vulgaris ‘Common Thyme’ & ‘English Thyme’, Thymus x citriodorus ‘Lemon Thyme’
With summer gardening in full swing, now is the time to add perennial herbs to your garden. Thymus vulgaris ‘Common Thyme’ and ‘English Thyme’, as well as Thymus x citriodorus ‘Lemon Thyme’ play an important role in any vegetable, herb, or kitchen garden.
The dainty flowers in shades of white to pale lilac draw in an abundance of Bees and Butterflies which in turn will visit some of the other veggies in your patch. The soothing shades of green help to bring a calming influence to the garden, and the fragrant foliage releases essential oils that perfume the surrounding area when simply brushed against on a warm summer day.
Most culinary Thymes are easy to grow and can be used in a variety of settings in the landscape. In addition to traditional vegetable and herb gardens, they can be used as an edging in flower beds, tucked among stepping stones, in rock gardens, Mediterranean gardens, and cottage gardens. They have a gently mounding growth habit, making it perfect tucked into mixed perennial containers and window boxes.
The foliage and flowers of Thymus x citriodorus ‘Lemon Thyme’ have a delightful lemon scent and taste, and pair nicely in a container with other Lemon-scented herbs such as Cymbopogon ‘Lemon Grass’, Aloysia triphylla ‘Lemon Verbena’, and Basil ‘Sweet Dani’. Each of the varieties of Thyme we are growing can be used fresh or dried, in an assortment of dishes including salads, sauces, stews, and deserts. Thymes should be planted in full to partial sun, in sandy soil that has excellent drainage. The Sunset Climate Zones are 1-24.
