Description

This common herb is an excellent green roof plant, providing year-round interest, including a wonderful aromatic scent. Great to use on a culinary roof, it is very drought tolerant. Flowers bloom in several shades of purple, from dark violet-blue to lavender or lilac-pink. Flowers attract butterflies and bees when in bloom. Foliage comprised of tiny leaves forms a low, dense mat that stays predominately green through the winter, although it may take on some hints of purple in the coldest months, or when stressed. Leaves are a soft dark green color and slightly fuzzy in appearance. They give off a sweet or minty aroma when crushed or in the summer sun. This plant will tolerate some shade. It will benefit from growing in a deeper soil profile or mounded green roof media, and will need regular watering to become established. Great plant to attract pollinators.

Profile

• Botanical Name: Thymus serphyllum
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Plant Type: Hardy Perennial
• Plant Usage: Ground cover, Accent
• Hardiness Zone: 5
• Foliage Color: Grey-Green
• Flower Color: Shades of Purple
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to Autumn
• Winter Interest: Green Foliage, with Some Reddish Tint
• Height: 4"
• Spread: 18"
• Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Origin: Northern Europe
• Self Sowing: No
• Shade Tolerant: Partial
• Substitutes: Phlox subulata,