Thyme: types and varieties with descriptions and photos. Creeping thyme: planting, care and use in landscape design Thyme in landscape design flower bed partners

Creeping thyme is also called Bogorodskaya grass, but most people know it as thyme. Varieties of thyme grow not only in the European part, but also in southeast Asia and even in northern Africa. Thyme is a perennial plant with numerous branches and small flowers, painted in purple hue. This attractive plant for many landscape designers blooms in June, and bears fruit at the end of the summer months.

Numerous amateur gardeners and professional landscape designers use this plant popularity not only because of the attractive appearance, but also its unpretentiousness in the care in the garden. Thyme calmly tolerates drought and is resistant to frost. among the people amazing plant even assign healing properties and use it in homeopathy. So how do you grow creeping thyme outdoors? Features of planting, care, reproduction of a plant should be considered in more detail.

creeping thyme varieties

Thyme belongs to undersized semi-shrubs and reaches a height of about 15 cm. Common and creeping thyme are most often grown in the Moscow region. creeping thyme called because of its ability to spread over the soil, forming an unusual rug that exudes a pleasant aroma. Creeping thyme flowers form into inflorescences. Of the most popular and common varieties of creeping thyme, one can distinguish the following:

There are also other varieties of creeping thyme with carmine, snow-white and pinkish flowers and variegated leaves, but all of the above creeping varieties are more popular with gardeners.

Planting a plant

Plant creeping thyme in open ground better in good illuminated place because the sun's rays favorably affect the development of the plant. In order for the thyme to take root faster, it is also necessary to carefully dig the site with the onset of autumn and add organic fertilizers (compost). In the spring months, the soil will again need to be dug up, and as soon as the temperature outside becomes above 13 degrees, you can start planting thyme seeds.

After planting the seeds, you can lightly sprinkle them river sand to prevent water from stagnating on the surface and provide young shoots nutritious elements. As soon as the seedlings grow slightly and sprout, the planting must be thinned out. The distance between plants should be at least 30 cm.

In open ground, creeping thyme can be planted using seedlings. To begin with, in the month of February, thyme is sown in trays. Water the seedlings regularly, in no case flooding. The plant sprouts under glass, creating a greenhouse effect. After 3-4 weeks from the moment of sowing, the seedlings can be taken out into the street, and after another 14 days they are transplanted to a permanent place.

Features of care

Immediately after planting, creeping thyme needs to pinch the tip of the stem so that the plant forms into a luxurious lush bush. As soon as it stops bloom, the bushes will need to be slightly shortened. With the onset of the new season, it will be possible to notice that the plant, due to pruning, has compacted, begun to grow better and acquired a decorative shape.

Thyme also needs to be regularly weeded and weeds removed, which literally pull most of the nutrients out of the ground. Weeds can also significantly slow down the already slow growth of thyme.

Of course, creeping thyme must be regularly water. It is advisable to water no more than 2 times a week during the drought period. In cold summers, the plant can be watered less frequently. For the winter, it is necessary to cover the thyme with fallen leaves or.

When growing creeping thyme outdoors, wood ash can be used to help reduce soil acidity and provide additional nutrients. Mineral fertilizers while it is desirable to make only two years after planting thyme.

How to grow thyme: plant propagation methods

Cultivation and propagation of thyme in open ground can be carried out 3 ways:

Thyme in landscape design

Landscape designers use creeping thyme for decoration alpine slide and mixboards. It's unusual perennial shrub also used in combination with other plants and planted on rocky talus.

Creeping thyme is also used as a background for plants with large leaves and in combination with geyherami. Thyme looks great in group landings.

Pests and diseases

Creeping thyme is not only unpretentious in care, but also quite resistant to attacks by pests and a variety of bacteria. Some can still attack thyme pests, such as the:

weevils;
meadow moths;
sandy medlyaks.

Thyme can also be affected by some fungal diseases and this can happen due to abundant watering or violation of other rules for growing a perennial plant. From pests, thyme will help to protect regular loosening and timely weeding. You can get rid of insects with alkaline fertilizers.

Thyme, or thyme (Thymus)- shrubs with recumbent or ascending woody stems, ascending or erect herbaceous flower-bearing shoots. The leaves are entire, small, ciliated, mostly on petioles, arranged oppositely. The flowers are small, lilac, pink or white, collected in capitate or discontinuous spike-shaped inflorescences. The fruits are elliptical or spherical nuts. The genus includes about 400 species distributed in the temperate zone of Europe, Asia and North Africa. As ground cover species are appropriate:

Name "Thymus"- the ancient Greek name of the plant, which is mentioned by Dioscorides and Theophrastus. Probably comes from ancient Egypt, where it was used as a ritual. Russian name"Bogorodskaya grass" - apparently from spirituality, pleasant smell plants

Thyme early - Thymus praecox Opiz

In the culture of the variety:

Pseudolanuginosus- when the plant blooms pubescent and small leaves almost invisible. Suitable for planting along paths and along the edge of the flower bed.
Minor- a relatively slow growing shrub with very small pubescent leaves and inflorescences, suitable for alpine slides.

location and soil. They prefer sunny places. Plants withstand partial shade and even shading, but in such conditions they stretch and bloom poorly. Lots with light, fertile, well-drained soil that is alkaline or neutral.

Landing can be carried out at any time - the plants are unpretentious and drought-resistant, but not late autumn, as the plants should take root well before frost.

Care. Plants do not need to be fertilized best case you can add a little ripe compost or horn flour to the soil. If thyme bushes are trimmed regularly, they will be dense and compact. Do it in early spring or after flowering. The shoots are shortened by about two-thirds - to the lignified part. Watering is necessary only in dry spring and summer, when there is an active growth of young shoots and the plants are preparing for flowering. There are no diseases and pests on thyme. Damage to plants is caused only by excessive moisture on heavy clay soils in a protracted, rainy weather and winter warming. The best measure to combat this evil is good drainage and mulching the soil around the plants with fine gravel.

Propagated by seeds, cuttings and division of the bush. The most simple reproduction is by dividing the bush. For division, the bush is dug up, the roots are disassembled and the plant is carefully divided into parts. Twigs creeping along the ground are separated during the entire growing season and planted immediately in a permanent place or separately for growing.

More compact varieties with a dense cushion can be quickly propagated by cuttings 3-5 cm in size, rooting them in spring and until mid-summer in greenhouses or under glass jars. The main thing at the same time is to prevent waterlogging, otherwise the cuttings will rot. They root in 2-3 weeks, almost 100%. It is better to cut annual, already lignified shoots.

The seed method of reproduction allows you to get in one season a large number of planting material. Thyme is sown in spring in greenhouses or on ridges. Its seeds are small, seedlings are poorly visible, therefore, with soil crops, you need to carefully monitor their development, not allowing weeds to drown out seedlings. You can also grow seedlings in room conditions or greenhouses, sowing seeds from March to early May.

The substrate should be light, air and moisture permeable, contain sand and peat in a 1:1 ratio. Seeds are distributed in grooves or scattered. Sowing is carried out to a depth of 0.5-1 cm. With sufficient humidity and a temperature of 20-35 degrees. shoots appear on the 7-10th day. Seedlings appear in open ground in 3-4 weeks. In room conditions, seedlings are immediately transferred to a cool, well-lit place.
In the first month, carefully monitor the moisture content of the substrate. It should be moderate, watering is necessary only when the top layer dries up, otherwise the seedlings will easily rot. Frequent shoots are pulled through, leaving a distance of 2x2 cm, and young plants are planted on vacancies or dive into separate cups. At the age of 2 months, seedlings already form compact bushes and are suitable for planting in a permanent place. Plants bloom in the second year, with early sowing, flowering can be achieved in the fall of the first year.

Thyme- frost-resistant, unpretentious plant. Under the snow cover, it easily endures the winter. In open areas in conditions of little snowy winter, shelter is necessary with spruce branches, which also protects plants from spring sunburn.

Used as a carpet plant, they are used in borders, group plantings, on rocky hills and rocky areas. Taste, aroma, size, color and abundance of flowers - the list of advantages of the plant does not end there. Tiny golden and silvery-white leaves of some varieties, primarily lemon-smelling thyme, will also decorate the flower bed. The bushes give off their fragrance when touched, so if you want to indulge in a cloud of spicy smell, just run your hand over them.

You can plant thyme in a decorative stone trough. In a small pot, thyme, stunted cloves, navel and hyssop will do very well.

In our article we will try to describe in detail the process of planting and the rules for caring for creeping thyme in a simple and understandable language.

You will also be able to see photos of the plant, learn how to propagate it, get information about the application and healing properties culture for the health of the body.

In the common people, thyme is called thyme, although this is not the only name given to it over time, it is simply the most common. Another plant is called Bogorodskaya grass.

Varieties of culture, which include about a hundred species, can be found both in Europe, Southeast Asia and in northern Africa.

Description and healing properties

“Courageous” is the translation of the word thyme from the Latin language. This plant belongs to the Yasnotkovy family.

Violet flowers, with small elongated leaves, grow on a semi-shrub, reaching up to 15 cm in height. Thyme is often found along roadsides, near rocks, or on open to the sun clearings.

The herb thyme has medicinal properties. Scientists have found in it an essential oil that is produced from the green part of the shrub, the one closer to the ground. The main components of the oil are thymol, oleic acid and vitamins.

Due to these components, the shrub can be used to purify the blood, improve digestion, as an antipyretic and sedative.

To raise the tone, gain strength, the ancient Greeks took a bath with thyme, and the Egyptians used it as a perfume, as well as when embalming the dead.

Species and varieties

Bogorodskaya grass is a semi-shrub, because it tends to spread over the ground, thereby turning into a fragrant green carpet.

Common varieties:

Semi-shrub up to 10 cm high with flowers lilac color- variety Colchis.
Thick carpet of leaves pink shade, framed by a yellow stripe - Donna Valei.
The grass with the exquisite name Silver Queen grows in a rare carpet, 20 cm high.

Other varieties:

Thyme ordinary. Shoots have a color close to white or purple. Light fluff is on the back of the leaves. Bush height 10 cm.
Lemon-scented thyme. It is called so because of the unobtrusive aroma of lemon, which is spread by yellowish leaves. It occurs in several forms, here are the most famous:
- Bright yellow have leaves of aurea.
- The shoots of Bertram Anderson are painted in a green tint with yellow specks.
Our country is rich in such varieties:
- Thyme early Minor - it has small fluffy leaves.
- Pseudolanuginosus (Pseudolanuginosus) is a profusely flowering plant with pointed green leaves. It is used in the creation of rockeries, rock gardens, as part of other landscape compositions.

reproduction

Thyme is able to reproduce in three ways, provided it is in open ground:

Seminal. In autumn, material suitable for planting is collected and dried until spring, after which it is sown and covered with a film. Planted both in spring and autumn.
Cutting a cutting. They are selected from the strongest when pruning in spring or autumn. It is practical that the seedling that forms a new bush is already strong.
Bisection. Attention this method can be painful for the plant. It is necessary to dig out the bush completely and with special care divide it into two halves. If in the process you damage the root system, then the new shoot may get sick or even worse die.

Landing

Loose soil - favorable environment for planting and growing thyme. Abundant sunbathing also has a positive effect on growth, so it is necessary to plant thyme in an accessible place.

It is important to dig the site in the fall, with special diligence, so that the plant can get along in a new place for it. To this it is also necessary to add fertilizers of an organic basis, it can be both compost and manure.

Once again, the soil will need to be dug up in the spring, when the temperature outside is more than 13 degrees. The next step is planting seeds.

note: after planting thyme, it is worth sprinkling it a little with sand taken from the river bank. This ensures the influx of elements important for growth young plant, and excess moisture does not form on the surface.

The shoots should sprout and grow a little, after which they can be thinned out, making the distance between the seedlings about 25-30 cm.

It is interesting that it is possible to plant seeds even in winter, seedlings will be an indispensable assistant in this matter. Thyme is planted in boxes prepared in advance and carried out regular, moderate watering.

Thanks to the glass under which the plant is located, a greenhouse effect is created, which accelerates growth. After 3-4 weeks, it is necessary to take out the seedlings, for hardening, to the street. And after about 2 weeks, you can plant thyme in a place where the plant will grow all its long life.

Care and feeding

The most important procedure that must be done first after planting is to pinch the end of the stem. This is done specifically so that the shoot forms a sprawling and beautiful bush.

Thyme is a perennial crop and, like everything else, it needs pruning, which is carried out every season. When flowering stops, it happens in the fall, it is important to shorten the shrub. Changes from this procedure will be noticeable next season. The plant will take on a compacted shape.

Uprooting weeds and frequent weeding is necessary for Bogorodskaya grass, because foreign plants take most of the nutrients.

Watering should be carried out approximately twice a week, provided that the weather is not too dry. If the air temperature is not very hot, then this procedure can be carried out less often.

It is important to know: before winter, cover the shoots with peat or leaves that have already fallen to the ground.

It is interesting that the introduction into open ground wood ash will have a better effect on the seedling than fresh manure. This option will reduce the concentration of acids in the soil.

- here good remedy for the first feeding of Bogorodskaya grass, which is carried out in early spring. In the first year of cultivation, this is done before the shoot rises, and in the second, when pruning in the spring, this is done in the following years.

Pests and diseases

This plant endures all attacks from bacteria and pests. However, there are a few insects that can ruin the life of thyme. It can be meadow moths, weevils or even aphids.

It's interesting that there are fungal diseases, which can have a negative impact on a perennial crop. They arise due to improper care. If you follow all the rules described above, this will not happen to your escape.

Timely loosening of the soil, deep digging of the soil for seeds and weeding will eliminate the appearance of pests. You can also exclude their appearance if you add lime-containing fertilizers.

Application in landscape design

Since thyme undersized plant, in landscape design it is used as a background for mixboards. Looks great among the stones and scree of them.

Growing thyme, you get a lot of pleasure from contemplating its appearance. Fluffy pads on the leaves, fragrant spicy smell serve as a delight to smell, touch and vision.

It's interesting that by doing beautiful composition from thyme and plants combined with it, and these are: geyhera, wormwood, cucumber beds and mint - you can get amazing photos.

For more information on growing thyme, see the following video:

Thymus or thyme is a perennial flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. The genus includes about 400 species growing in most countries of Europe, North Africa and Asia.

These are low, usually creeping semi-shrub plants with an ascending or creeping woody stem, usually up to 35 cm tall. Small green leaves 3-8 mm long.

On flower-bearing shoots are spike-shaped inflorescences with fragrant flowers lilac, pink, violet, purple or rare white.

This perennial is very hardy. Easily grown in well-drained loose, sandy or rocky soils, in full sun. It tolerates drought and lack of fertilizer.

Does not like moisture and stagnant water, which leads to decay. On rainy days, mulching the soil around the thyme with fine gravel will help to avoid stagnant moisture. Watering should be moderate and only in a dry spring or summer period when the plant is actively developing and preparing to bloom.

Cultivation and care

In the first year after planting, only weeding and mulching is required. If you immediately add a little compost to the soil, then the plant will not need top dressing. In subsequent years, you can fertilize late spring and at the beginning of summer with any type of liquid mineral fertilizers.

Propagated by dividing the bushes in spring, by seeds or by cuttings during the active growing season.

Application in landscape design

With regular pruning of the stems, a dense and compact green cover can be achieved. It should be shortened by about two thirds. Undersized Thyme is resistant to damage and can be a great alternative to a grassy lawn. The plant looks especially beautiful in vertical gardening and in cascading planting in rockeries.

If you have paths lined with stone in your garden, then using undersized thyme you can create a beautiful pattern by sowing it between the stones. The magical scented carpet is perfect for edging the borders of flower beds and paths, in rock gardens and patios.

As you already understood, Thyme is one of the best ground covers. For example, evergreen form thyme plants creeping photo 2 (Thymus serpyllum) forms a dense 15 cm carpet, peduncles from 5 to 10 cm.

The stems creep along the ground, the leaves are very small, but the cover is very thick. Blooms from May to August purple and purple flowers with a wonderful aroma. It is drought tolerant and does not require watering or any maintenance. Popular varieties: Pink calico, Pseudolanuginosus, Magic Carpet.

Popular varieties of Thyme with a bright lemon aroma: Silver Queen, Golden King, Golden Dwarf (photo 3).

Early thyme - photo 4 - (Thymus praecox) Slow growing form with delicate grey-green foliage and pink flowers.

Forms a dense carpet covering. Popular varieties: Minor, Elfin.

Sowing seeds

Outdoors, sowing is carried out in spring or autumn at a temperature of about 13 degrees.

Prepare the potting mix for planting using a large amount of organic matter: humus, peat or compost, mixed with 50% of the soil. The depth of the prepared layer is from 15 to 25 cm. Lightly press the seeds into the ground and sprinkle lightly. As soon as the seedlings grow, thin out so that the distance between them is 30 cm.

Indoors, they are sown at the end of winter in special trays. Water regularly, but little by little. Tray cover can be used transparent plastic or glass. Germination takes 15-30 days. The grown seedlings need a gradual acclimatization in the open air 10-15 days before planting. When transplanting into the ground, pinch the tip of the stem to form a lush bush.

Problems

None serious problems no insects or diseases. Thyme is only susceptible to root rot, especially in moist, poorly drained soils.

Thyme belongs to the category of those plants that will not only decorate your site, but can also be used in cooking and medicine. Thyme is also called thyme. He can act as a handsome groundcover, which will give a charming aroma to every person passing by it. In this article, we will consider how to grow thyme on the site, the features of caring for it, learn about useful properties thyme.

Thyme. Description of the plant and its features

Thyme in the people can be called thyme, lemon flavor, muhopal, greedy, verest, pine pepper, Bogorodsk grass, Chebarka.
Thyme belongs to the Yasnotkovy family.
Thyme is common in Eurasia, North America, Greenland.
Thyme can grow naturally in a variety of locations depending on the variety. Varieties of thyme can be found in forests, in glades, on rocky slopes, in the steppe.
Thyme can reach a height of 35 cm.
Thyme is a semi-shrub plant or undersized shrub.
The stems of thyme are lignified, recumbent or ascending.
root system thyme is represented by a taproot, which is also lignified.
Thyme leaves may have different shape depending on the variety. They can be sessile or grow on short petioles. Their shape can be either oval, round, or more oblong. The leaves are very hard, dense, leathery.
Thyme flowers are collected in oblong inflorescences. They can be white, pink, purple. The most common color is purple. Thyme flowers are very fragrant, which, of course, attracts a large number of insects.
The period of active flowering of thyme can last all summer months.
At the end of summer, thyme ripens a fruit - a box with 4 nuts.

Thyme. Facts from history

If you are going to grow fragrant thyme on your site, then you may be interested in its rich history. It turns out that this plant came to us from ancient times. You can find the following interesting historical facts about using thyme:

the oldest mention of thyme dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. The Sumerians, one of the most ancient civilizations, left behind mentions of thyme on cuneiform tablets. They used this plant for various healing poultices and lotions, the recipes for which were written on the tablets;
in Ancient Egypt thyme was considered the plant of the god Serapis, who was the god of fertility and health. Ancient healers used this fragrant plant for mummification, to treat paralysis and other serious illnesses;
in Ancient Greece thyme was considered the plant of Aphrodite. It was this plant that was set on fire in temples at the time of sacrifice. The Greeks also believed in the legend that thyme grew on the site of the shed tears of Helen the Beautiful;
in ancient Greece it was also customary to take baths with thyme. It was especially recommended to do this to warriors in order to give them more courage and bravery;
in Ancient Greece they did a massage with thyme oil, used it in recipes for the treatment of memory disorders, meningitis. Thyme has also been referred to as an excellent remedy for fainting;
in Ancient Rome thyme was associated with the god Saturn. This plant has been widely used in folk medicine. With its help, preparations were made against worms, for the treatment of diseases of the female organs. Thyme drink was useful to give during childbirth, as well as in the treatment of asthma and other diseases. respiratory system;
mention of thyme can be found even in the Bible. Jesus himself was born by the Virgin Mary on a bed of thyme;
during the Middle Ages, thyme was considered a symbol of courage and bravery. The knights adorned themselves with embroidery depicting this plant, took dried thyme sprigs with them, drank a drink from this plant;
in many European countries there were beliefs in the mystical nature of thyme. People believed that fairy fairies sleeping on thyme sheets. And in order to see these magical creatures, one had to rub the eyes with the dew collected from this plant;
there was a belief that poisonous snakes would leave their lair from the smoke of burnt thyme;
It was considered a good omen for fishermen to fumigate fishing gear with thyme before fishing. After such a ceremony, the catch should have been rich;
one more an interesting omen that has migrated into modern times was the use of thyme for stuffing pillows. Sleep on such fragrant pillow should be especially sweet and strong;
in Ancient Russia thyme was most often called Bogorodskaya grass. The plant received this name due to the fact that icons were decorated with bundles of this grass on the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin;
in ancient Russia, thyme was also given magical significance. It was often used in pagan rites, it was used to protect against evil spirits, evil spirits;
in Russia it was very important to have a bouquet of thyme in the house. It was believed that this plant preserves youth, helps a woman bear a child, and creates a good aura in the house. Women washed their hair with a decoction of thyme, decorated themselves with wreaths from this intoxicating plant.

Thyme. Beneficial features

In order to start talking about the beneficial properties of thyme, you need to find out what a valuable chemical composition it has. And you can find the following useful elements in it:

B vitamins;
tannins;
vitamin C;
gum;
Apple acid;
acetic acid;
oleic acid;
ursolic acid;
fats;
resins;
essential oil;
flavonoids;
minerals.

As you can see chemical composition thyme is really impressive. If you grow this plant on your site, you can use it as a "people's doctor". Thyme has been shown to be effective in folk treatment many diseases. This plant can be used by humans for various effects:

thyme is known as natural herbal remedy with analgesic effect. That is why it is often found in folk recipes for the treatment of neuralgia, myalgia, pinched nerve, etc.;
the expectorant effect of thyme is also worthy of respect. You can use thyme-based ointment for rubbing the chest and back during colds and SARS. Thyme infusions, decoctions and teas are useful for various diseases respiratory system - bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma. Thyme helps to thin sputum and improves its expectoration;
help in the treatment of diseases nervous system. It is useful to use teas, decoctions and infusions of thyme for people suffering from sleep problems, disorders of the nervous system, emotional overstrain;
thyme is also known as natural remedy against worms. This effect is achieved due to the content of thymol in it;
treatment of diseases gastrointestinal tract also possible with thyme. It helps to reduce bloating, get rid of flatulence, helps digestion processes;
thyme is a natural antiseptic. This plant is often used to treat various skin diseases;
thyme is a well-known assistant in relieving discomfort after a bee sting;
thyme has also proven effective in the treatment of male diseases. It helps to increase potency, provides excellent prevention of prostatitis;
women with disabilities menstrual cycle, you should also pay attention to recipes traditional medicine with thyme. Since ancient times, this plant has been used in the process of childbirth in order to enhance labor activity;
thyme has a positive effect on people who suffer from high blood pressure. Plants gently and naturally dilates blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure.

Thyme is a truly versatile plant that can become a real natural “first aid kit” on your site. Of course, do not forget that any herbal treatment must be agreed with the doctor. Hoping to cure persistent arterial hypertension or any other disease with thyme alone is not worth it. Also do not use this plant if you have its individual intolerance, a tendency to allergic reactions from medicinal herbs. Forget about treating children under 6 years old with traditional herbal medicine recipes.

Thyme. A photo

Thyme varieties and types

thyme

The homeland of this variety of thyme is considered the Mediterranean. It has shoots up to 15 cm long, and the plant itself can reach 20-30 cm in height. The leaves have small size, slightly pubescent with reverse side. The color of the flowers is pale lilac or white. The period of active flowering begins in early summer and ends around August. The variety does not differ in increased winter hardiness. If the plant cannot be covered in snowless and harsh winter, it may be damaged. Thyme is highly valued for its medicinal properties. Among the popular varieties are the following:

Alba;
"Splendens";
"Coccineus".

creeping thyme

Quite a popular variety of thyme among summer residents. Creeping thyme in the photo looks quite impressive and can be used as a "substitute" for the lawn, it grows well with a dense carpet, which is decorated with small and fragrant flowers. Creeping thyme is unpretentious in care. Flowers can be white, pink, lilac, purple. It was this kind of thyme in Russia that was called thyme or Bogorodskaya grass. The plant is perennial, reaches a height of 15 cm. Its creeping stems are intertwined. For creeping thyme, planting is possible even on rocky slopes. Among the well-known decorative forms of creeping thyme, the following can be distinguished:

"Donna Valley";
"Colchis";
"Silver Queen"

Thyme lemon-scented

Lemon-scented thyme is a perennial hybrid plant that is widely distributed in southern France. Thyme reaches a height of 30 cm, and in order for the shrub to look decorative, it constantly needs to be trimmed. A feature of this variety is a special aroma that resembles the aroma of lemon. The leaves have a spectacular variegated color and a rounded shape. Flowering occurs in mid-summer. The disadvantage of this variety is that it does not respond well to sudden changes in temperature and to low temperatures generally. Popular varieties of lemon thyme:

"Golden Duarf";
"Golden King";
"Silver Queen".

Flea thyme

This type of thyme can often be found along roadsides, on rocky slopes, in mountainous areas. The flowers have a pleasant pinkish hue. The stems are recumbent, can reach 15 cm in length. The phase of active flowering in flea thyme begins in mid-summer. This variety of thyme is highly valued for its medicinal properties.

Dorfler's thyme

This type of thyme is rare. It occurs naturally in the Balkans. This perennial grows up to 10 cm, has miniature flowers of a dusty pink hue. The disadvantage of this variety of thyme is its poor cold tolerance. It prefers to grow in sunny places that are well protected from the wind.

Thyme subarctic

Subarctic thyme is found naturally in forested areas. of Eastern Europe. The stems of this perennial shrub are woody. flowers tender lilac shade have the shape of a bell and are collected in inflorescences. Distinctive feature subarctic thyme is rich content in him essential oils. The oils not only give the plant a delicious aroma, but also make it a valuable raw material in traditional medicine recipes.

Thyme early

This spectacular perennial came to us from Turkey, the Caucasus. Belongs to the Yasnotkovy family, like other types of thyme. The plant reaches a height of 7.5 cm to 15 cm. It prefers to grow on well-lit, well-drained soils, does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. A feature of early thyme, which can be guessed from the name of the species, is its early flowering. But enjoying spectacular colors will not take so long.

Thyme. cultivation

Step 1. Choose a place for planting thyme in the open field

How to grow thyme? In order for thyme to feel as comfortable as possible on your site, take care of the choice good place for his landing. The site must meet the following requirements:

the site must be sunny;
the area must be dry;
The site should be well cleared of weeds.

thyme is negative too shady places, it will intensively stretch upwards, without giving a beautiful flowering and aroma. Also, this plant does not like moisture very much. Both the soil and the air should not be too wet.

Step 2. Choosing the soil for planting thyme

The ideal soil for thyme is neutral to alkaline soil. If your site is too heavy and clay soil, then be sure to take the time to create good drainage. Choose light, fertile soil.

Step 3. When to Plant Thyme

Due to the fact that thyme is a frost-resistant perennial, it can be planted both in spring and autumn. Autumn should not be late, as the plant should have time to take root well. Most thyme varieties do not require any shelter during the winter. But in a snowless and very harsh winter, it is better to cover the plants with spruce branches or other covering material.

Step 3. Planting thyme with the seed method

After you have chosen a place on your site suitable for planting thyme, you can start planting. Most gardeners prefer to grow thyme by seed. They can be sown immediately in open ground, or seedlings can be grown at home, and then transplanted to a permanent site.

The plot of land before sowing thyme seeds does not need to be loosened too deeply, since the root system of this plant is superficial, does not go deep into the ground. Thoroughly clear the area of weeds.
You can prepare the site for planting thyme in advance. If you are planning a spring planting, then in the fall, after digging the beds, add mineral and organic fertilizers, manure or compost there. In the spring, dig up the bed again and add urea at the rate of 20 g per 1 sq.m.
Not too deep into the ground planting material, plant the seeds in the prepared area.
Approximate distance between rows is 40 cm.
Lightly sprinkle the seeds on top with river sand in a layer of 1 cm.
After the seeds germinate, you need to monitor the moisture content of the topsoil, preventing it from drying out. It is also important to ensure that weeds do not appear, which can harm the further growth of young seedlings.
After the seedlings have germinated a little, thin out the crops, leaving about 30 cm between plants in the row.

If you planted seeds at home in order to later plant grown plants in open ground, then keep the air temperature cool so as not to make the plants "greenhouse" and not adapted to outdoor growth conditions. Thyme crops for growing seedlings can be produced in the second half of March. Seeds are also not buried, but sprinkled with sand. At the age of 70 days, seedlings can be transplanted into open ground. If you sow thyme directly into the ground, then seedlings will appear in about 2 weeks, but subject to temperature environment- 20 degrees.

Other ways to propagate thyme

Propagation of thyme by cuttings

One of the simplest and effective ways thyme cultivation. You need to cut off the green shoot from an adult plant and plant it in the ground. For better rooting experienced gardeners it is recommended to cover the stalk with a jar and water it around the jar. In this way of watering, you will avoid waterlogging the soil and provide thyme greenhouse conditions, which will help him quickly form his own roots. If you want to propagate a very undersized thyme with creeping shoots, then choose a cutting with a height of no more than 5 cm. A huge advantage of this method of thyme propagation is the ability to plant cuttings at any time of the growing season.

Reproduction of thyme by dividing the bush

The division of the bush is another simple and very effective method reproduction of thyme, which allows not only to get a new plant, but also to rejuvenate the bush.

Carefully dig out the bush.
Prepare a place for planting a new plant.
Divide the bush into as many parts as its size allows.
Plant parts of the bush on permanent places growth.

Thyme. Care

Even a novice horticulturalist will do just fine growing thyme. This is perennial absolutely unpretentious in care, and growing it is only a pleasure. A huge advantage of this medicinal plant on the site is its excellent resistance to diseases and pests. It is possible to point out some important points, which are still worth paying attention to if thyme grows on your site:

in early spring or after the end of the flowering period, cut the thyme bushes to the lignified part of it. After such a pruning procedure, the bushes will grow more magnificently and compactly;
thyme is a drought tolerant plant. But in too long a drought, it is still worth watering;
thyme - a plant that is negative about weeds, like any other ornamental plant in the garden. It is especially important to carefully weed a bed of thyme from weeds at the first time, when the plants are just starting to develop. The root system of thyme is superficial and can be easily damaged by neighboring weeds with too active and powerful root systems. In addition, your bed with fragrant thyme will lose its decorative effect if it is overgrown with weeds;
thyme grows well and develops without fertilization. Only for those plants that have already been growing for more than 2 years, top dressing with mineral and organic fertilizers, infusion of mullein. You should not make fresh manure, as the plant does not like it.

If you are growing thyme for the purpose of harvesting it, then you can harvest it during flowering. Carefully, without damaging the bush itself, cut off well-leafed shoots. Thyme can be dried and then ground. It can also be used fresh.

thyme at home

Thyme in a pot. Rules for growing on the windowsill

If you don't have personal plot, but you dream of fresh herbs, then thyme - great choice for growing on a windowsill. This plant will not only harmoniously fit into any interior, but will also make it possible to have year-round access to fresh Provence spices, to medicinal plant, to a personal care product. Let's look at the order of your actions when growing thyme in a pot:

choose a beautiful pot or any other container no more than 15 cm high;
fill the pot nutrient soil. You can use the soil "For cacti" and add a little black soil to it. Be sure to lay a drainage layer at the bottom;
thyme seeds simply spread on the surface of moist soil and sprinkle with a layer of soil of about 1 cm;
using a spray bottle, moisten the surface of the soil;
until the emergence of seedlings, do not keep the pot on too sunny place. This can ruin seedlings;
You will notice the first sprouts in 10-20 days.

You can grow thyme on the windowsill not only from seeds, but also with the help of a cutting. From an adult plant whose flowering period has already ended, cut off the shoot. Release its lower part from the leaves and plant the plant in a pot. Water it moderately until new leaves appear. Then watering is reduced to a minimum.

Caring for thyme on the windowsill

Make sure that the windowsill is constantly warm and sunny.
Do not be zealous with watering. Remember that thyme is wild nature grows on rocky slopes.
You can cut branches from thyme, which grows on the windowsill, at any time of the year. But do not be too zealous, cut each time from a new plant.
Loosen the soil, but not too deep. The root system of thyme is close to the soil surface.

Give yourself pleasure in contemplating on your site a beautiful and incredible valuable plant - thyme. Caring for this perennial will not give you any trouble. Good luck growing!

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