VANDERMEER

PLANT LIBRARY

Find the perfect plant for your space by browsing through this extensive selection that we typically carry every year.

This library is for information purposes only.

 
perennial

Elfin Creeping Thyme

Thymus praecox 'Elfin'

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Elfin Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox 'Elfin') at Vandermeer Nursery

Elfin Creeping Thyme

Elfin Creeping Thyme

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Elfin Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox 'Elfin') at Vandermeer Nursery

Elfin Creeping Thyme in bloom

Elfin Creeping Thyme in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  2 inches

Flower Height:  3 inches

Spacing:  16 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  2a

Other Names:  Mother-of-Thyme, Creeping Thyme

Description:

A highly desirable and popular groundcover, forming a dense low mat completely covered in lavender flowers throughout summer, attractive fine and fragrant foliage the rest of the season; needs a dry and sunny location, can take light foot traffic

Ornamental Features

Elfin Creeping Thyme is smothered in stunning lavender flowers at the ends of the stems from early to mid summer. Its attractive tiny fragrant round leaves remain grayish green in colour throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Elfin Creeping Thyme is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spreading

Elfin Creeping Thyme is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Herb Gardens

Planting & Growing

Elfin Creeping Thyme will grow to be only 2 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 16 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to dry locations, and dislikes excessive moisture. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Rock  Edging  Garden  Groundcover  Herb 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features

** Plants listed may not be in stock at all times. **

Please contact us directly for current stock availability.
 
Our inventory varies seasonally and we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times. To confirm if we have the plant that you're looking for, please call (905) 427-2525 or e-mail  us at info@vandermeernursery.com.
 
Remember, this library does not include our entire selection. Visit us year-round to check out varieties that may not be listed here!