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ShrubsHerbs - Culinary

Thymus polytrichus A. Kern. ex Borbás subsp. britannicus (Ronniger) Kerguélen
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

wild thyme

A creeping, mat-forming subshrub, 5-10cm tall, with small dark green leaves, up to 8mm long and 4mm wide, usually fringed with minute hairs. The pale to deep purple flowers are produced in summer

Other common names
coconut thyme
woolly thyme
Synonyms
Thymus polytrichus subsp. britannicus 'Coconut'
Thymus woolly
see moreThymus pseudolanuginosus
Thymus praecox subsp. arcticus
Thymus drucei
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Thymus are evergreen woody-based perennials, shrub or sub-shrubs with small aromatic leaves and terminal whorls of small, 2-lipped, tubular, purple, pink or white flowers in late spring or summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
British Isles

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun. Won't tolerate wet or waterlogged conditions. Will tolerate drought and poor soils. See thyme cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division or plant rooted basal stem cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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