Description

Common thyme is a familiar and attractive mat-forming plant which produced. We have three native species of thyme in Britain, the rare and very local Breckland thyme, large thyme which is found in the southern half of Britain on alkaline soils and common thyme. Common thyme is the most widespread and familiar of the three. It grows as a low, creeping mat whilst its cousin, the large thyme, is slightly shrubbier. The flowering heads also tend to be shorter but the most accurate way to tell the two species apart is to look closely at their stems. In both the stems are square in section but in common thyme two of the opposite faces are very hairy whilst the other two are less so or even hairless. In large thyme the hairs are concentrated along the angles.

Habitat Information

Like large thyme common thyme is found on free-draining, base-rich soils such as chalk and limestone but it also occurs in short grassland on heaths, upland grassland and on mountain cliffs, rocks and ledges. It grows in areas where environmental stresses levels prevent the establishment of taller, more competitive species and is therefore not suitable for most meadow areas.

Growing Information

In nature seeds germinate in late summer or spring so it is probably best sown in the autumn.