Product Description
Thymus pseudolanuginosus
Common Name: Woolly Thyme
Zones 3 to 11.
Full sun (to light shade in zones 10 and 11).
Plants reach 1 to 2 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide.
evergreen groundcover.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Thymus pseudolanuginosus, commonly known as Woolly Thyme, is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial groundcover prized for its soft, fuzzy foliage and delicate flowers. It is a popular choice for rock gardens, pathways, and other areas where a carpet of texture and color is desired.
- Foliage: The most distinctive feature is its tiny, gray-green leaves covered in fine, woolly hairs, giving it a soft, velvety texture. The foliage forms a dense mat that hugs the ground.
- Flowers: In summer, it produces small, pale pink to lavender flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. However, the flowering is often sparse and not the main attraction of this thyme.
- Growth Habit: It is a creeping, mat-forming perennial that typically grows only 1-2 inches tall but spreads up to 12 inches wide or more. It roots along the stems, allowing it to quickly cover ground.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 5-8, tolerating a range of temperatures and conditions.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it is very low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.
Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: It thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Soil: It prefers well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil. It dislikes moist or wet conditions, which can lead to root rot.
- Moisture: It is drought-tolerant once established and prefers dry to medium moisture levels.
Uses in the Landscape:
- Groundcover: Its spreading habit makes it ideal for covering ground, suppressing weeds, and softening hard edges.
- Rock Gardens: It thrives in the well-drained conditions of rock gardens, cascading over rocks and crevices.
- Pathways: It can be planted between stepping stones or pavers to add texture and fragrance when stepped on.
- Walls and Edges: It can spill over walls or edges, creating a soft, draping effect.
- Containers: It can be used in containers as a spiller or filler, adding texture and interest.
Additional Tips:
- Pruning: It can be lightly pruned or sheared after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage denser growth.
- Foot Traffic: It tolerates light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or areas where occasional stepping occurs.
- Fragrance: While the flowers have a light fragrance, the foliage of this thyme is not as strongly scented as culinary thyme varieties.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistance: It is generally deer and rabbit resistant.
Overall, Thymus pseudolanuginosus (Woolly Thyme) is a versatile and attractive groundcover that adds texture, color, and a touch of whimsy to the garden. Its soft, fuzzy foliage, delicate flowers, and low-maintenance nature make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking an easy-care plant that provides long-lasting beauty. Not for culinary use.
Ten (10) plants in 4.5-inch containers per flat (or tray).
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!