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Thymus praecox var. arcticus 'Coccineus'

Image of Thymus praecox var. arcticus 'Coccineus'

Mark A. Miller

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Thymus praecox var. arcticus 'Coccineus'

Plant Common Name

Creeping Thyme

General Description

Creeping thyme is an evergreen mat-forming subshrub grown for its fragrant leaves and its summer blooms. One of many cultivars of this Mediterranean native, 'Coccineus' bears short spikes of crimson-pink flowers.

Plant creeping thyme in light, well-drained soil in full sun. Thymes are easy-going, drought-tolerant plants with minimal maintenance requirements. Cut back established plants in early spring to keep them compact and trim them lightly after flowering. Creeping thyme attracts bees. It is often grown as filler between paving stones or in lawns where its fragrance is released when stepped on. Try creeping thyme as a groundcover, in rock gardens, or in herb gardens. The leaves can be used fresh or dry as seasoning or in potpourris.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 5

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    3"-6" / 7.6cm - 15.2cm

  • Width

    30"-36" / 76.2cm - 91.4cm

  • Bloom Time

    Summer

  • Native To

    Southern Europe

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Prostrate/Trailing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Crimson

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Edging, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Lawns and Turf, Rock Garden / Wall

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes