Cultivation Ĭreeping and mounding variants of T. serpyllum contain thymol, carvacrol, limonene, paracymene, gamma-terpinene and beta-caryophyllene. Wild thyme is one of the plants on which both the common blue butterfly and large blue butterfly larvae feed and it is also attractive to bees. It is a plant of thin soils and can be found growing on sandy-soiled heaths, rocky outcrops, hills, banks, roadsides and riverside sand banks. Wild thyme is native to the Palearctic realm of Europe and Asia. The fruit is a dry, four-chambered schizocarp. Each flower has four projecting stamens and two fused carpels. The upper petal is notched and the lower one is larger than the two lateral petals and has three flattened lobes which form a lip. The usually pink or mauve flowers have a tube-like calyx and an irregular straight-tubed, hairy corolla. The plant sends up erect flowering shoots in summer.
The leaves are in opposite pairs, nearly stalkless, with linear elliptic round-tipped blades and untoothed margins. It forms matlike plants that root from the nodes of the squarish, limp stems. Wild thyme is a creeping dwarf evergreen shrub with woody stems and a taproot. The hardy plant tolerates some pedestrian traffic and produces odors ranging from heavily herbal to lightly lemon, depending on the variety. The strongly scented flowers are either lilac, pink-purple, magenta, or a rare white, all 4–6 mm long and produced in clusters. The oval evergreen leaves are 3–8 mm long. It is a low, usually prostrate subshrub growing to 2 cm (1 in) tall with creeping stems up to 10 cm (4 in) long. Thymus serpyllum, known by the common names of Breckland thyme, Breckland wild thyme, wild thyme, creeping thyme, or elfin thyme, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to most of Europe and North Africa. Thymus subhirsutus Borbás & Heinr.Braun.When you plant thymes, aubretia or Mexican daisies in between paving, you are also ensuring that the seeds of unwanted volunteer plants don’t find a home. Or plant them alongside paths and paved areas to create rivers of foliage and flowers that softens any hard landscaping ideas. These fast-growing ground cover plants can be used to carpet bare soil under trees and shrubs or to fill gaps at the front of borders. The experts at Moreton Arboretum also recommend Allegheny pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens), a native species that tolerates shade well, saying ‘it forms colonies that will fill in well without being overly-aggressive and the small white flowers in spring are lightly fragrant’. Another shade-tolerant native suggested by the team is Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) that spreads readily to form a ground cover, with soft, hairy heart-shaped leaves. In colder areas, it may die back over winter, but will reappear the following spring. It’s very adaptable, coping with sun and shade, and while optimum conditions are fertile, moist woodland type soils, it can do dry areas too and is hardy in zones 4-9. Vinca or periwinkle is a hardworking, fast-growing evergreen plant with glossy foliage and the added bonus of bright blue flowers that arrive in late spring and can continue through to fall.
What’s the best fast-spreading ground-cover plant for shade? They can help to soften hard landscaping when planted around paths and patios and generally can be used to create a more natural look. When well chosen, they keep unwanted plants and seedlings at bay and, from a design point of view, they work to link different areas of the garden and fill gaps in tricky areas. They may spread via rhizomes, or root runners and are really useful for gardeners. Ground cover plants are, by definition, low growing, perfect for covering larger areas, preventing erosion and helping to get rid of weeds.
What are fast-growing ground cover plants? It does cope with part shade, so could also be used at the edges of tree and shrub canopies.īlue plumbago is available at Nature Hills. A creeping, fast spreading shrubby plant that’s perfect for planting in dry, sunny areas, at the front of borders, where it will spill over the edges for a soft and informal look.Ī wonderful plant for attracting butterflies, you’ll be able to admire them flocking to the nectar-rich blooms. This could be the perfect seasonal transition plant, with blue flowers arriving at the end of the summer heat as the season changes, followed by fiery-colored foliage into fall. (Image credit: Chris Bosworth/Alamy Stock Photo)
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