Wooly Thyme Thymus pseudolanuginosus
Previously known as:
- Thymus praecox subsp. britannicus
- Phonetic Spelling
- TY-mus soo-doh-lan-oo-gin-OH-sus
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Hairy stems turn woody with age.
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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
