Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’) is a charming and versatile perennial herb that adds vibrant color and delightful fragrance to your garden. This low-growing, mat-forming plant features tiny, deep green leaves that create a dense carpet-like appearance. What sets Red Creeping Thyme apart is its profusion of delicate, tubular flowers that bloom in shades ranging from rosy-pink to deep crimson. These flowers cover the plant during the late spring and early summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Planting Zone Information:
Red Creeping Thyme is well-suited for a variety of climate zones, particularly USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. This herb thrives in areas with mild to moderate winters and can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy, well-draining soil.
Growing Guide: Planting Red Creeping Thyme from a 4″ Pot into the Ground
1. Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny location for your Red Creeping Thyme. This herb thrives in full sun, which promotes better flower production and overall growth. Ensure that the soil drains well to prevent waterlogged conditions.
2. Prepare the Soil: Before planting, work the soil to remove weeds, rocks, and debris. Red Creeping Thyme prefers slightly alkaline soil, so you may consider amending the soil with lime if it is too acidic. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 6 inches.
3. Transplanting: Gently remove the Red Creeping Thyme plant from the 4″ pot, being careful not to disturb the roots too much. If the roots are tightly wound, you can gently loosen them. Dig a hole in the prepared soil that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant.
4. Planting: Place the Red Creeping Thyme plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole with soil, gently pressing it down around the plant to eliminate air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
5. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, around the base of the plant. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weed growth, and moderates soil temperature.
6. Watering: While Red Creeping Thyme is drought-tolerant once established, it’s important to keep the soil consistently moist during the initial period after planting. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage the plant’s roots to grow deeper into the soil.
7. Care and Maintenance:
- Prune the plant lightly after the flowering period to promote a compact and tidy appearance.
- Fertilize sparingly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to encourage healthy growth and flowering.
- If the plant becomes too dense or overgrown, you can divide it every few years to rejuvenate its growth.
Red Creeping Thyme makes an excellent ground cover in garden beds, rock gardens, or along pathways. Its striking color, lovely fragrance, and ease of care make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a pop of color and texture to their outdoor spaces.