Mother Of Thyme

(Thymus praecox)

Mother Of Thyme (Thymus praecox)

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: de:User:Jutta234 | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: JuTa | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Thymus_praecox_-_Iceland_-_2007-07-05.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description=Tilia americana, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. |Source={{own}} |Date=April 21, 2010. |Author=[[User:Daderot|Daderot]] |Permission=Public domain. |other_versions= }} [[Category:Specimens in Arn

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Thymus praecox, commonly known as Mother of Thyme, is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial herb native to grasslands and rocky sites in Europe and Western Asia. It is often confused with Thymus serpyllum, which shares common names such as "creeping thyme" and "wild thyme" in regions where T. serpyllum is not prevalent. Thymus praecox typically reaches a height of 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) and spreads out to 12 inches (30 cm) wide, creating dense mats of foliage. The leaves are small, aromatic, and green, sometimes with a grayish tint, and the plant has a strong scent reminiscent of Oregano, which is why it is also used in cooking.

Mother of Thyme is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its summer and fall blooming season when it produces a profusion of pink, purple, and white flowers that are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. It is a popular choice for ground cover, thriving in rock gardens, along walkways, and between paving stones due to its ability to withstand light foot traffic. Additionally, it is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. In cultivation, it prefers full sun exposure and well-drained soils, although it can tolerate a range of soil types and drainage speeds. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal watering once established and occasional trimming to maintain its compact form.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Subshrub, Herb
Height: 0.3-0.5 feet
Width: 0.3-0.5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, Purple
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

native to grasslands and rocky sites in Europe and Western Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Wild Thyme, Creeping Thyme, Mother-Of-Thyme, Kriechender Thymian, Serpolet Couché, Serpolet Couchet, Thym Couché, Thym Précoce, Kryptimian, Kruiptijm

Scientific Names: , Thymus praecox, Thymus serpyllum subsp. praecox, Thymus serpyllum f. praecox, Thymus serpyllum var. lanuginosus, Thymus serpyllum var. praecox,

GBIF Accepted Name: Thymus praecox Opiz