Narrow Leaved Thyme  - Thymus sp.-  €7 per plant 

A hardy  evergreen herb with excellent  culinary and medicinal uses. In the herb garden, at the edge of a walk, along a short garden wall, or in containers the plant  release a wonderful aroma when brushed against. Thyme also makes a great evergreen ground cover for dry and sunny places and is perfect for containers, either alone or in combination with plants that won’t shade it out. The flowers open in the summer,  adorning the plant with tiny, two-lipped blossoms that are very attractive to bees.
To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: S. Europe- W. Asia
  • native habitat: Dry scrub and rocky places, especially near the sea
  • family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Predators

  • No experience of any pests or predators 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline  (can grow in very alkaline soils)
  • Hardiness Zone: 4
  • Make sure the plant is not shaded by objects or other plants, but also by itself, otherwise it develops long, straggly, woody stems with few leaves.
  • Succeeds in a hot dry position
  • Intolerant of excessive winter wet

Known hazards 

  • A comment has been made in one report on medicinal uses that the plant should be used with caution. No explanation was given. It quite possibly refers to overuse of the essential oil. All essential oils, since they are so concentrated, can be harmful in large doses. Avoid if inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Internal use contraindicated especially in pregnancy.

Overview


  • Evergreen Shrub growing to 0.4 m by 0.8 m at a medium rate.
  • Hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender.
  • In leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Aug  to October
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • Noted for attracting wildlife.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • Cannot grow in the shade.
  • Prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Characteristics

  • form: semi woody evergreen shrub 
  • layer : Herb Layer
  • habit:spreading to form a mat 
  • height x width (m): 0.4m x 0.8m  
  • productive life span:  

Products 

  • Leaf:A very common herb, the strongly aromatic leaves are used as a flavouring in cooked foods and makes a good tea
  • Medicinal: The flowers, leaves and oil of thyme are commonly used by people for the treatment of bed wetting, diarrhea, stomach ache, arthritis, colic, sore throat, cough (including whooping cough), bronchitis, flatulence and as a diuretic (to increase urination).
  • A good dense ground cover plant for sunny positions

Functions, behaviours

  • The flowers are very attractive to bees amongst other pollinisers. 
  • A good companion for most plants, including cabbages, beans, carrots and sage.
  • Bare stems will not grow new leaves if pruned back.
  • In order to keep a dense green form  keep cutting the green growth to promote new growth.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project