Care of the shrub Thymus vulgaris or Common Thyme |
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The genus Thymus, family Lamiaceae, includes 350 species of perennials and shrubs native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Some species are: Thymus vulgaris, Thymus lanuginosus, Thymus munbyanus, Thymus pulegioides, Thymus willdenowii, Thymus praecox. Common names: Common Thyme, Garden thyme, German thyme or Wild Thyme. This species is native to southern Europe. They are evergreen subshrubs with a creeping bearing that reach 40 cm (15.7") in height. The aromatic leaves are oblong-lanceolate, greyish in color and with a folded margin. The numerous small white or pink flowers appear in whorls at the ends of the branches. They bloom in spring and early summer. Thyme has antiseptic, digestive, balsamic and spectorant properties. They are used in rockeries, on dry and stony slopes, in low-maintenance areas of the garden and in pots for terraces, balconies and patios. They are used as a condiment in cooking and in the pharmaceutical industry to obtain thymol. Thymus vulgaris needs full sun exposure and a warm or Mediterranean climate. They resist light and occasional frosts. They prefer a poor and stony or rocky soil. They are low maintenance plants that need occasional watering in summer. They are very resistant to drought. They do not need fertilizer. Prune lightly after flowering, removing wilted flowers. They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated from seeds sown in the spring in the seedbed and by cuttings in the fall or spring. |
Images of the shrub Thymus vulgaris or Common Thyme |
 Thymus vulgaris  Thymus vulgaris  Thymus vulgaris  Thymus vulgaris  Thymus x citriodorus  Thymus munbyanus  Thymus munbyanus  Thymus munbyanus  Thymus willdenowii  Thymus willdenowii  Thymus willdenowii |