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Native alternative(s) for Thymus pseudolanuginosus:
Phlox stolonifera Phlox stolonifera
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Thymus praecox Thymus praecox
Thymus pulegioides Thymus pulegioides
Thymus vulgaris Thymus vulgaris

Thymus pseudolanuginosus

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Thymus praecox subsp. britannicus
Phonetic Spelling
THY-mus soo-doh-lan-oo-gin-OH-sus
Description

Wooly thyme is a very short prostrate herb in the Lamiaceae (mint) family from Europe.

It grows well in dry well-drained soils in the full sun.  It withstands poor rocky soils, drought, deer browsing, foot traffic and air pollution well. This plant will not tolerate clay soils or wet sites.

Mass plant in the front of a border and enjoy the butterflies and bees that visit the flowers. Plant it between stepping stones or have it spill over a rock wall.  Prune it to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth along its woody stems.  Unlike other thymes, this one is not fragrant and is not good for culinary purposes.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems though wet soils will cause root and crown rot.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Crevice Garden at the Guilford County Extension Center
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small spaces#drought tolerant#nectar plant#lawn alternative#low maintenance#mass planting#air pollution tolerant#deer resistant#rock garden#border planting#hairy leaves#stepping stones#subshrub#food source summer#border front#dry soils tolerant#foot traffic tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Guilford Crevice Garden#woody perennial#buncombe county sun and shade garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small spaces#drought tolerant#nectar plant#lawn alternative#low maintenance#mass planting#air pollution tolerant#deer resistant#rock garden#border planting#hairy leaves#stepping stones#subshrub#food source summer#border front#dry soils tolerant#foot traffic tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Guilford Crevice Garden#woody perennial#buncombe county sun and shade garden#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Thymus
    Species:
    pseudolanuginosus
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Europe
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract butterflies and bees.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herb
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny pale pink tubular flowers appear in leaf axils sporadically in the summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Tiny 1/8 inch gray-green simple, elliptic leaves usually covered in hairs on both sides.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Hairy stems turn woody with age.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Foot Traffic
    Pollution