There are a number of jobs you might have on your to-do list as you prepare your garden for May. Whether it’s giving the patio a clean or mowing the grass, one garden expert has also shared the plant you must sow this weekend if you want it to bloom in time for the warmer months.
Typically blooming from May through to August, Head Gardener at Audley Villages, Mark Dwelly, has urged gardeners to plant creeping red thyme this weekend. Also known as thymus serpyllum, the plant is often used as an alternative to traditional grass lawns in the UK, either alone or accompanied by other low-growing plants. As it rarely needs mowing and requires almost no water, it’s a great low-maintenance option for gardeners, producing vibrant dark pink and purple flowers and it’s winter-hardy, meaning it can also tolerate the colder months in the UK.
“Once established, creeping red theme lawn is a very low maintenance ground cover plant that grows low and slow,” said Mark. Thanks to its slower growing pattern, you also don’t need to mow it as often as traditional grass.
But that’s not the only advantage, and Mark shared that this plant is also “a natural weed suppressant”. The dense growth shades soil, making it harder for weeds to sprout, almost acting as a mat-like cover when added to the ground.
Not only a great choice for low-maintenance gardeners, it’s also “non-toxic and pet-friendly” with Mark describing it as “ideal for owners who have adventurous furry friends”.
The plant can also be added to path edges for a touch of colour, raised flowerbeds, window boxes and shallow pots, and its aromatic leaves can even be used in cooking.
If you are planning to add it to areas of your lawn, Mark cautioned that “it’s not the type of lawn you’ll want a lot of foot traffic on” as this can risk damaging it.
Instead, planting it on the side of a path, or an area of the garden that doesn’t get many visitors, will prevent damage.
These are Mark’s tips for planting creeping red thyme:
Sunlight
Creeping red thyme enjoys direct sunlight so Mark recommends choosing a spot that gets at least several hours of sun exposure a day.
Planting
When planting it, ensure you water it regularly to start with, so the roots can grow strongly. It can be planted from seeds, plugs or small plants.
If you do plan on using small plants, make sure you leave a few to a dozen inches in between them to ensure the soil can drain properly.
Soil
As with many ground cover plants, creeping red thyme can sustain drought periods once established, which means it’s a more hardy addition to the garden, but it doesn’t like water clogs.
Ensure the soil drains well for rainy days or when watering it by adding organic matter like compost or decomposed leaves you might have accumulated over the winter to prevent it rotting at the root.