Growing creeping thyme is a process that does not have complicated steps. To get a positive result, it is enough to know the rules of planting and caring for the plant. Creeping thyme or thyme is one of the amazing representatives of the flora. Culture is used not only in landscape design, but is also valued for its many positive properties.
Specifics of creeping thyme
The characteristics of the plant are its beneficial properties. Medical professionals advise using thyme for the following conditions:
- fever;
- bloating and intestinal cramps;
- neurosis;
- neuralgia.
The culture is used as an anticonvulsant and disinfectant. Regular use restores intestinal microflora. As a result, the gastrointestinal tract is normalized. Thyme also has a diuretic effect.
The above-ground part of the crop has medicinal properties. The composition of the plant is rich in useful substances. Thyme contains:
- acids: ursolic, thymunic, quinic, oleonolic, caffeic and chlorogenic;
- plant polyphenols;
- resin;
- essential oil;
- bitterness;
- tannins.
Thyme is often planted near bee apiaries, as it is considered an excellent honey plant. The culture has a wonderful aroma and unique taste. Due to its fragrant nature, many perfumers use the plant to create perfumes.
Combination with other plants
Thyme is a real godsend for group plantings. Allows you to create a background against which plants with textured leaves will look advantageous. Thyme complements the overall picture. If a person is planting yellow flowers, choose creeping thyme to create contrast.
The powerful aroma of the crop attracts a large number of insects that pollinate the plant. Gardeners have long noticed this feature and use it as a little trick. They plant thyme near the cucumber beds. Bees are attracted to the smell and pollinate other vegetable crops, helping gardeners.
Types and varieties
Thyme is an inferior shrub, distinguished by its short stature. The height of the plant does not exceed 15 cm. Creeping thyme got its name due to its ability to spread along the ground, forming a lush carpet of flowers and greenery. Flowers of a bright purple hue are collected in capitate inflorescences.
Gardeners often choose creeping thyme to decorate their summer cottage. Due to the peculiarity of blooming throughout the summer, the crop is used in landscape design. Most often people choose the following varieties:
- Donna Valley - the culture is growing so much that it becomes like a carpet with pink flowers.
- Colchis - the plant spreads low over the ground, forming small lilac flowers.
- Silver Queen - differs from other varieties of thyme in the gray color of the leaves, framed by a white edging.
In the latter case, the inflorescences are located very densely. The flowers are painted in a pale lilac shade.
Creeping thyme is one of the varieties of thyme, among which you can also find:
- Ordinary. The growth of the crop ranges from 5 to 10 cm. The branch with small leaves below looks like fluff. The color of the plant's flowers changes from white to pale purple.
- Lemon-smelling. Can be planted both in early spring and autumn. The name thyme comes from its delicate aroma, which contains lemon notes. Young leaves are yellow. Varieties are distinguished:
- Bertram Anderson - with green leaves dotted with yellow spots.
- Aurea - has a bright yellow color.
- Early. The flowering of the plant begins long before the appearance of flowers in other varieties. Unfortunately, the culture fades faster than others. The following varieties are grown in the country:
- false downy thyme - green leaves with excessive pubescence at the tip, slightly sharp;
- Minor - small leaves are also covered with villi, the plant is characterized by slow growth.
Thyme propagation
You can get a new crop in several ways - by cuttings, from seed, and by dividing the bush. The last option is considered one of the easiest, but at the same time traumatic for the plant.A healthy bush is dug up and the root is cleared of soil. Divide into several parts, which are immediately planted in open ground.
No less popular is the method of propagating crops using cuttings. Thyme sprigs are prepared in spring or autumn. Suitable for planting are those that have been cut from a full-fledged plant. Before planting, the lower part is cleared of leaves and planted in moist soil to speed up the growth process. Thyme takes root quickly and does not require much human effort.
Planting thyme in open ground
It doesn't take much effort to grow a plant in your garden and get a fluffy carpet. The culture serves as a real decoration for borders, flower beds and rocky hills. Decorative thyme leaves are very beautiful and can complement the overall picture with an incredible aroma. It fills the garden with a delicate scent, adding mystery to the atmosphere.
For the full development of culture it is necessary to create special conditions. If everything is done correctly, thyme will delight the eye with abundant flowering and saturate it with useful substances. Flower beds designated for growing thyme should be in direct sunlight. If there is not enough light, the bushes of the plant will lose their visual appeal. In the shade, the stems stretch out and become thin, the flowers of the crop become smaller and bloom earlier than usual.
Planting at home
Before planting thyme, the soil is prepared. The soil should be light and allow moisture to pass through it well. Neutral acidity is welcome. The soil must have good fertility.
In autumn, the top layer of soil is dug up and lime is added. It must be dry and thoroughly mixed with the soil.Then a substrate for the plant is prepared, which consists of rotted leaves, river sand, black soil and humus. Before planting the crop, the soil is enriched with organic matter, last year’s manure or organic fertilizers.
Planting is done in one of two ways:
- seeds;
- seedlings.
Thyme seeds are sown in open soil in the spring, when the air and soil warm up a little. It is recommended to sow planting material at an air temperature of at least +13 °C. Dig up the flower beds, mix the soil with the prepared substrate and level it. Add the seeds, sprinkle with a thin layer of river sand and water.
As soon as the first shoots of the plant appear and reach a height of 3 cm, they proceed to planting. This condition is necessary for the thyme to grow and develop fully. There should be at least 30 cm between each bush. If the conditions are suitable, thyme will delight you with rapid growth.
Thyme is planted in open ground as seedlings. To obtain sprouts, seeds are used, which are placed in specially designated containers. The crop is planted in mid-February.
Plant care
A perennial crop does not require complex agricultural technology. All that is required of a person is to select a suitable site and prepare it. In the future, the watering regime and fertilization are observed. Don't forget to remove weeds either.
Watering
The plantings are constantly weeded so that weeds do not interfere with the growth of the crop. After watering, the soil must be loosened in order to avoid the formation of a soil crust. You should not overwater thyme, but it is also not recommended to keep the soil dry. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of the soil drying out; it should be soft, not wet.Despite the ability to withstand cold winters, light shelter will not interfere with the culture.
Top dressing
Thyme can be left without fertilizing, but if possible, the procedure is done. In early spring, urea is added, and when cutting greenery, azofoska is used. If thyme grows on the site for the second year, mineral fertilizers or mullein are added to the soil. The crop responds well to wood ash; periodic application reduces the acidity level. Thyme categorically does not like fresh manure.
Diseases and pests
Proper planting and necessary care prevent the development of diseases in the plant. Planting in open ground is fraught with the following pests for the crop:
- meadow moth;
- sand slugger;
- weevil;
- aphid.
Insecticides help get rid of insects. Most often, the plant suffers from fungus. Fortunately, the culture can be cured and returned to its former appearance. Treatment - minimal watering, removing weeds, providing sunlight.
Harvesting
According to tradition, it is customary to collect thyme on Trinity Sunday. People believe that it is on this day that he has the greatest power. Harvesting greenery must be done during the flowering period. The leafiest branches are cut with a sharp knife. Under no circumstances should the culture be broken off so as not to damage it.
The twigs are then dried like other herbs. They are laid out on strips of natural fabric or tied in bunches under the ceiling. The most suitable place for drying is the attic of the house. When the plant dries, it can be used for its intended purpose - decorating the room and making healthy drinks.
