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Thymus longicaulis - Thyme

Thymus longicaulis
Thyme

4,5/5
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Received a young plant, in flower, very vigorous and fragrant.

Mikita, 30/05/2023

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
Vigorous and very spreading, this thyme forms a highly fragrant dense groundcover and blooms early in spring, in the form of small clusters of pink-lilac flowers. Robust and resistant, it can be used in lightly trafficked areas of the garden to replace the lawn, either on its own or mixed with other groundcover thyme varieties. It is a hardy perennial that thrives in poor and dry soil, requiring full sun and well-drained soil. It is also perfect for rock gardens or on walls.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
15 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -18°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time February to April, September to October
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

Thymus longicaulis is one of the best groundcover thymes for all regions. Vigorous, robust and very carpeting, it forms a highly fragrant carpet that is particularly dense, with interwoven stems that conform to the contours of the ground. It blooms abundantly from early spring, with small clusters of pink-lilac flowers, covering everything that should be hidden under a frothy and very pink tide at ground level. In the garden, it can be used in rockeries or on stone walls, but also in low-traffic areas to replace the lawn, alone or mixed with other groundcover thymes. Perfectly hardy, this perennial thrives in poor and dry soil, requiring full sun and well-drained soil.

 

Originally from Southern Europe, especially Italy, theThymus longicaulis is a botanical species belonging to the Lamiaceae family.  Its resistance to drought and cold is commendable. It has a carpeting habit, with its stems rooting upon contact with the ground, allowing it to form a very dense foliage mat, at least 15 cm (6in) high and 50 cm (20in) wide. Its foliage is composed of tiny, oval-elongated, leathery leaves, dark green in colour. When crushed, they release the aroma of thyme and lemon. Flowering occurs from April to June depending on the climate. Tiny tubular and bilabiate pink-lilac flowers, grouped in dense whorls, bloom above the foliage, at the tips of the year's shoots, attracting numerous pollinating insects. Like many Mediterranean plants adapted to drought, thymes develop a dual root system, consisting of a central taproot, which plays a fundamental role by penetrating deep into the soil or rock crevices, and a superficial network of very long rootlets capable of capturing even the slightest surface moisture. This plant releases molecules from its roots that inhibit the germination of other plants through allelopathy, which ultimately reduces the need for weeding.

 

Thymus longicaulis is decorative all year round and proves hardy in well-drained soil in all regions. Its carpeting habit makes it an ideal plant for elegantly filling the joints of paving stones, cracks and tops of walls, or the edges of a stone staircase, especially since it tolerates moderate foot traffic well. It can be used alone or mixed with other thymes (Thymus ciliatus, Thymus serpyllum 'Lemon Curd', Thymus herba-barona, Thymus hirsutus...), as well as with robust plants like Achillea crithmifolia, Phyla nodiflora, or Trifolium fragiferum. Long-stemmed thyme adorns the ground near a flower bed and is a great alternative to the lawn, even in the dry Mediterranean summer. It will thrive in a sunny rockery, with aubrietas, gold or silver baskets, teucrium, and creeping ceanothus.

Thymus longicaulis - Thyme in pictures

Thymus longicaulis - Thyme (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Cyme
Flower size 1 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased
Foliage description Lemon and thyme aroma when crushed.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 15 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Thymus

Species

longicaulis

Family

Lamiaceae

Other common names

Thyme

Origin

Central Europe

Product reference849581

Planting and care

Thyme is a plant well adapted to alpine climates, but also to drier regions in summer. It requires a well-drained soil, preferably sandy, poor, even limestone and stony, to withstand the harshness of winter. It is undemanding in terms of soil and water, but will be more beautiful if occasionally watered in a Mediterranean climate. On the other hand, a consistently moist to wet soil in summer should be avoided. Plant it after the last frost and in September-October in hot and dry climate. It cannot thrive without sunlight and likes to have warm roots. Plant it in full sun. In heavy soil, plant it in a raised bed enriched with gravel, in a rock garden, in full sun against a south-facing wall, on a stony or sandy slope, any substrate that does not retain moisture would be detrimental to it in winter. It is preferable to prune the stems after flowering to maintain a compact habit for the plant, which also tolerates occasional mowing and moderate trampling (such as a family garden).

Regularly pruning them (on young wood), and after flowering, allows them to age better and remain compact.

 

6
€19.50
16
€14.50 Each

Planting period

Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time February to April, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -18°C (USDA zone 7a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Well drained, sandy, stony.

Care

Pruning instructions A regular mowing or pruning helps maintain a nice shape to this carpet and make it more compact. Pinch the young plants to encourage them to branch from an early age.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March, June
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,5/5
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