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Botanical name: Thymus praecox ‘Elfin’
A highly desirable and popular groundcover, forming a dense low mat completely covered in lavender flowers throughout summer, attractive fine and fragrant foliage the rest of the season; needs a dry and sunny location, can take light foot traffic.
Other names: Mother-of-Thyme, Creeping Thyme
| Hardiness zone | 2a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | lavender |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | spreading |
| Mature height | 2 inches (3 inches with the flowers) |
| Spread | 18 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun |
| Moisture requirements | dry to average |
| Plant origin | import |
Elfin Creeping Thyme is smothered in stunning lavender flowers at the ends of the stems from early to mid summer. Its attractive tiny fragrant round leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Elfin Creeping Thyme is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Spreading
Elfin Creeping Thyme is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Rock/Alpine Gardens, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Herb Gardens
Elfin Creeping Thyme will grow to be only 2 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 16 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to dry locations, and dislikes excessive moisture. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
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