HerbsThymus vulgaris
Common Thyme
Common thyme is a compact, evergreen herb with small aromatic leaves and pink to white flowers. The plant is indispensable in the herb garden and blooms in June and July, when bees flock to it in droves. Thyme thrives best on dry, lean soil in full sun.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Height
- 15–30 cm
- Spread
- 20–40 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–9
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Flower colors
- pink, white
- Wildlife value
- bees, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in full sun in light, well-drained soil. Thyme tolerates drought exceptionally well and hardly needs watering once established. Avoid heavy clay soil and spots where water pools. Mixing a handful of grit into the planting hole improves drainage around the roots.
Pruning tips
Trim lightly after flowering to keep the plant compact. In early spring you can prune a little harder, but never cut into fully woody stems — thyme will not regrow from old wood.
Good companions
ShrubsLavandula angustifolia
English Lavender
Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
Ground coverAjuga reptans
Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a robust ground cover that spreads rapidly through runners. From April to June, dense spikes of blue-purple flowers rise above the dark green, glossy foliage. The plant is evergreen and forms a continuous carpet within a single growing season.
Bulbs & tubersAllium giganteum
Giant Allium
Giant allium is a striking bulb plant with large, globe-shaped purple flower heads on sturdy stems. The blooms appear in May and June and attract plenty of bees and butterflies. The dried seed heads remain decorative in the border well into autumn.