Thymus 'Creeping Red'
thyme Coccineus Group
A creeping evergreen subshrub, forming a wide mat to 5cm tall, with very small, aromatic dark green leaves. Two-lipped, dark pink to magenta tubular-shaped flowers appear in the summer. Great for ground cover, with edible flowers
Synonyms
Thymus 'Coccineus'Thymus serpyllum coccineus 'Minor' misapplied
see moreThymus 'Creeping Red'
Thymus praecox 'Coccineus'
Thymus serpyllum coccineus
Thymus serpyllum f. coccineus
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Can be grown in a pot in an alpine house; use a mix of equal parts loam, leaf mould and grit
Propagation
Propagate by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.