“Elfin” (Thymus praecox arcticus “Elfin”), hardy in USDA zones 4 though 8, is among the slowest-growing thymes of all. Its diminutive leaves form a dense cushion 1 to 2 inches tall, perfect for your tiniest spaces, as it spreads barely 6 inches its first two years.
moreover, When can you plant elfin thyme? Planting should be done in late spring or early summer, after the fear of frost has passed. This will allow the roots to establish themselves through the growing season. Creeping thyme needs soil with good drainage in order to allow the plant to flourish and spread.
Will elfin thyme grow in shade? 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.
in addition Why is my elfin thyme dying? The most common reasons for thyme dying are: Thyme has root rot or fungal disease due to consistently damp soil. Thyme that is drooping and turning yellow because of damp soils or excess nitrogen in the soil due to additional fertilizer. Thyme plant that is turning brown, dry and dying back.
Can you divide elfin thyme?
To divide thyme, dig up the whole plant and break it into sections. Three or four divisions per plant is usually enough as small divisions take longer to establish than larger ones.
Is Elfin thyme drought tolerant? A very drought tolerant option for lawn replacement is low-growing Elfin Thyme | Thymus serpyllum. This fragrant alternative forms a tight solid mat of green foliage that blooms with light pink flowers in summer. It’s a vigorous creeper that stands up well to foot traffic and is great for sunny areas.
How do you water elfin thyme? Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’
Works well in mixed beds or in pots when allowed to trail over the edges. Showy flowers and aromatic foliage. Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry.
identically Does elfin thyme flower? 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. Blooming profusely from early to mid summer, it features clusters of tiny, lavender-pink flowers. Rich in nectar, they attract butterflies.
Does elfin thyme go dormant?
Thyme tolerates dry conditions and poor soil, but will die if the soil is soggy and not well-draining. … As the weather cools, allow thyme to go dormant and do not cut it back. Mulch well with compost to provide cold protection. Prune back dead thyme stems in spring.
subsequently Does thyme come back every year? A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
How long does a thyme plant last?
Although thyme is a perennial, it may last only three or four years before it naturally begins to turn brown in the center. As thyme grows, the base of the stems turns brown and woody.
How do you revive a dying thyme plant? The most important steps to revive a thyme plant that is turning brown is to: Scale back the watering to around once a week. Thyme prefers the soil to dry out somewhat between bouts of watering. If there has been significant rainfall, wait till the soil feels dry to a fingers depth before watering.
Is Elfin thyme fragrant?
Although the leaves are aromatic , they are rarely used in cooking. Evergreen in mild winters. Grows up to 3 in. tall (8 cm) and will spread over time by rooting stems to 12-18 in.
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Requirements.
| Hardiness | 4 – 9 What’s My Zone? |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
then Will elfin thyme grow in sand?
In sandy or gravel soils, you will have the best success. Thyme loves good drainage.
How do you plant elfin thyme between pavers? Since thyme seed is so small, it’s easiest to handle and plant by mixing it with sand – about four parts sand to one part thyme seed. Scratch the soil among the flagstones, then sprinkle the sand/seed mix on top at a rate so that you’re depositing about 4 to 6 seeds per square inch. Tamp the seed into the soil surface.
How do you plant creeping thyme as ground cover?
Is creeping thyme poisonous to dogs?
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and creeping or wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) are drought-tolerant evergreens that are safe for dogs and bloom in the spring and early summer. … Creeping thyme grows to only 2 to 3 inches tall and up to 1 foot wide. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 and blooms in dark pink.
given that, Should I cut back my herbs for winter? Most importantly, trim off the dead flower heads to help keep the plants bushy. Don’t trim too low down the stems (a light trim of the top leaves is enough) as the plants need time to recover before the cold weather arrives and small tender shoots engendered by fierce pruning won’t take kindly to being bathed in frost.
Should I let thyme flower?
Thyme’s tiny flowers are pretty and white. Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn’t compromised by letting the plant bloom.
Is thyme invasive? I must mention that most members of the mint family will become quite invasive if left to their own devices. Mint, oregano, pennyroyal and even thyme will spread through underground runners and can quickly take over the garden. They can be hard to remove as small bits of roots left behind can grow into full plants.
How do you stop thyme going Woody?
When you trim thyme for light rejuvenation, you are basically ensuring that your thyme plant doesn’t become too woody in the future. In late summer, after the thyme plant has flowered, select the one-third oldest stems on the plant. Using sharp, clean shears, cut these back by two-third.
Will thyme survive winter? Most selections of thyme (Thymus sp.) are hardy to USDA Zones 5 to 9 and marginally hardy to Zone 4 with added winter protection. In areas with cold winters, thyme is considered semi-evergreen, meaning that the plant will retain some of its foliage during winter but not all.
How do I make my thyme bushy?
In late fall, after the first frost, select one-third of the oldest and woodiest stems on your thyme plant. Using sharp, clean shears, cut these stems back by half. Repeat the process the next year until your thyme plant has returned to growing younger, more tender stems all over the plant.
How do you make thyme bushy? Really, the more you trim your thyme, the more it grows. Cut fresh stems in the morning, leaving behind tough, woody portions. Leave behind at least five inches of growth, so that the plant can still flourish. Regular pruning not only encourages more growth, but also promotes a more rounded shape.
Does thyme need fertilizer?
Feed thyme plants each spring with all-purpose 10-10-10 ratio fertilizer. Apply it at half-strength to keep the plant from producing too much foliage, which will diminish the potency of thyme’s fragrant oils. Water the plants thoroughly after feeding to distribute the fertilizer into the soil.