skip to main content

Wooly thyme

suncoastflowers

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Does this grow well in the south east? Do you need to use plugs or can you start it from seed? Does anyone ever do both? Will it shade out weeds?

We are in NC, 8a. Our soil is sandy loam. We have an area of our lawn that we just don't use and I am thinking if replacing it with ground cover. It needs to be sprayed for weeds and mown and weed whacked etc. so not much ROI except that it's technically green, except in winter when it's brown and so dreary. It would need to be very low growing because of snakes and field mice and evergreen. Elfin Thyme might work but I think it's taller than wooly thyme, isn't it? Dwarf mondo grass would be too tall for this area and it might be too much sun for it anyway in this area. Flowers for the butterflies and bees are a plus. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

laceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
I use several types of thymes as groundcovers in places and they must regularly weeded. They are not weed suppressing. If you still are interested in thymes, I suggest you look at the offerings of High Country Gardens; they offer several types and some are extremely flat. Not weed suppressing, however.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Elfin thyme, Thymus praecox 'Minus' or 'Elfin', is the lowest growing of any of the creeping thymes. It forms a very flat mat, seldom exceeding an inch in height. It is easiest to grow from plugs or starts and only requires very good drainage and a fair amount of sun. But as noted, weed suppression is not it's strong suit :-)
Related Discussions
HAVE: Have White Rose of Sharon Starts .. Want Wooly Thyme
Q
Comments (0)
Hi everyone! I have starts (4 to 6 inches plus roots) from a very hardy, single white (red center) Rose of Sharon shrub. I am looking for Wooly Thyme to plant along the edge of my terrace. Thank you, and enjoy the sunshine!
...See More
wooly thyme help
Q
Comments (3)
Weeds sprout when they are on the surface--so putting plastic 6 inches down has not helped at all. Dig up your plants, get the plastic out and replant. You'll have MUCH better success. Thyme is a lovely groundcover--I use it extensively and have 4 or 5 different types, but it is NOT weed suppressing and must be weeded. If you want a seed suppressing groundcover, look at either Geranium macrorrhizum for shade or G. 'Biokovo', or 'Karmina' for sun. Also weed suppressing are most groundcover sedums. (sunny areas)
...See More
Wooly Thyme
Q
Comments (2)
ut2nc, just how large of an area are you proposing needs this low coverage? The wooly thyme I have grown in the past was plugged into a gentle grade covered with broken brick. It got pretty much full sun and did quite well so long as it sort of grew as a colony. It wasn't what I would call fast growing. Growing on the broken brick seemed to be to it's liking because it was lifted above the dampness of the soil. (I don't mean 'plugs' as in turf type grass plugs but separate plants in smaller pots. ) Think the broken brick was more effective a weed deterrent than the thyme I had. Still , it thrived and grew into a nice patch for several years. I wouldn't try seed. Come spring you can get it at garden centers in their perennial groundcover section. You might also try the lower growing dark burgundy leaf ajuga. I have it spread within my lawn areas and sometimes it blooms before the mower gets it, depending on temps and weather in the spring. My lawn is a very low and slow growing centipede (unless you fertilize it) so the ajuga has time to bloom most years.
...See More
Wooly thyme dying in center
Q
Comments (3)
OK, I will attempt to divide and be more vigilant about trimming. Gardengal, is this kind of center dieback what you see as a result of environmental condition, and that can't be helped by cultivation? I don't think this is a case of the soil staying wet as it is practically sand under the pavers.
...See More
suncoastflowers
Original Author
8 years ago
Dysmondia Margaretae might be a better option since it is very low and crowds out weeds.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Strawberries for All Seasons

By Paintbox Garden

An edible carpet? It's possible with a mass planting of this tough ground cover

GROUND COVERS Ground Force: 10 Top Ground Covers for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

Protect your soil from weeds and drought this summer with a living mulch of ground covers

GREEN BUILDING World of Design: The Joy of Moss and Its Modern Uses

By Annie Thornton

This great design plant is 400 million years in the making. See how it’s inspiring art, soothing spaces and building design

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Patio Pavers Go Green in Between

By FormLA Landscaping

Kind to the environment and easy on the eyes, pavers with moss or other foliage in the joints create a charming permeable hardscape

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Great Ways With Garden Ground Covers

By Matt Kilburn

Use them as problem solvers, weed killers, color and texture providers ... ground cover plants have both practical and visual appeal

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

EDIBLE GARDENS Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden

By Abundant City

Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil

INSPIRING GARDENS 5 Gardens to Inspire Your Outdoor Rooms

By Annie Thornton

Get a peek at some exceptional Silicon Valley gardens and borrow ideas for your own landscape

MATERIALS Precast Concrete Pavers Make a Versatile Surface in the Garden

By Falon Mihalic

You can use concrete pavers in a variety of shapes and colors for your patio, walkway, driveway and more

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants

Sponsored

More Discussions

Replacement for creeping honeysuckle

13