Micromeria thymifolia

Micromeria thymifolia, also known as Thyme-leaved Micromeria, Caesar's Mint or Mountain Mint, is a small aromatic, medicinal, and culinary plant closely related to savory and thyme. In the garden, this perennial forms an aromatic ball covered with small green leaves, topped with white floral spikes in late summer and early autumn. Decorative when in full bloom, micromeria is ideal for dry and rocky areas of the garden. It is a good source of nectar for bees. This lovely little plant is one of the gems of the herb garden.

Originally from southern Europe, the Balkans, southern Italy, and Hungary, Micromeria thymifolia is a hardy botanical species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, just like its cousins savory and oregano. In nature, it is found in rocky, limestone and sunny places. It is a perennial plant with a woody base that forms a round, branched clump, reaching about 30cm (12in) in height and 40cm (16in) in width. Its branches bear small, narrow, dark green leaves, which are slightly shiny and highly fragrant. When crushed, they release a strongly menthol scent with a hint of thyme. The flowering period is from late September to late October. Tiny white bilabiate flowers bloom in the upper part of the stems. This flowering, like that of all plants in the Lamiaceae family, attracts many pollinating insects. The leaves are deciduous, falling in winter and reappearing in spring.

Micromeria thymifolia is primarily a beautiful rock garden plant, suited for sunny and dry areas, well adapted to natural and waterless gardens. It can also be planted in gravel beds or along pathways. It is valuable for bees at the end of the season. It can be planted with thymes, marjoram, lavenders, savories, rosemary, teucrium, rockroses and santolinas to evoke the Mediterranean scrubland. One of the charms of this type of arrangement lies in the scents emitted by all these plants after a hot day. They blend in a complex fragrance to be savoured with closed eyes: intense and captivating, it embodies the essence of the Mediterranean countryside.

Properties and uses:

Its leaves can be used in herbal tea to help with digestive disorders. In cooking, its foliage adds a spicy note to dishes. An ideal condiment to accompany broad beans, beans, and lentils, mixed with chervil and tarragon. Thyme-leaved micromeria enhances all meat dishes and stews. In both cooking and medicine, its use is similar to that of savory and thyme.