

Scatter the seeds across the designated site and press them firmly into the soil, or plant two to three seeds 12 to 18 inches apart in staggered rows. Remove weeds and rake out any thick clumps of soil. Hardening them off in this way allows the seedlings to get used to their new environment and reduces the risk of shock when they are planted outside.įor outdoor seed sowing, first prepare the planting area. You can acclimate the plants by moving them outside during the day and keeping them inside at night, increasing the amount of time they spend outdoors by about an hour or so each day. After the seedlings have established roots and grown to an inch or two in height, they may then be moved outside. Thin to two to three seedlings per container. Sprinkle seeds on top of the soil or covered lightly to a depth of 1/16 of an inch at most, and maintain consistent moisture for germination.
#Flowering thyme ground cover how to#
You can learn about how to grow common thyme in our guide.įor growing indoors, sow seeds in organic potting soil, either in trays or two-inch containers. vulgaris, is edible as well, offering a light herbal option to be used in the kitchen. vulgaris, is used in modern-day soapmaking, cosmetic and dental hygiene products, candy, and chewing gum.Ĭreeping thyme, not to be confused with its more culinarily-inclined cousin, T. The essential oil, derived mostly from common thyme, T. It was also used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming, and by ancient Roman soldiers to invigorate courage. This reference is most likely associated with the sacred practice of burning the herb as incense. The name thyme is derived from the Greek word “thumos,” meaning smoke. Since antiquity, various species have been harnessed for their culinary and medicinal properties.

praecox is one of about 350 species in the Thymus genus - all aromatic herbaceous perennials native to the temperate Mediterranean climate found in parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Most of them just need the right conditions and they will happily live with minimal care.įlowering groundcover plants often attract many pollinators, making your garden more beautiful while at the same turning it into a little natural haven.Small, fuzzy gray-green leaves are aromatic and release their fragrance when delicately crushed.Ĭome summertime, lavender-pink blooms attract butterflies, bees, and other friendly pollinators.Īlso known as mother of thyme, T. Groundcover is the quickest way to remedy this.įlowering groundcover plants are low maintenance, especially when compared with flower bed plants.


#Flowering thyme ground cover Patch#
Looking at a garden with a barren, or badly kept patch is a real eyesore. Using flowering groundcover is a quick way of turning unpleasant parches into beautiful elements of your garden. And the process starts e few hours after uncovering the soil! It deteriorates and desertification starts. Barren soil looses nutrients, moisture, useful microorganisms. So… here we go!Ī big principle of organic gardening is: never leave the soil without cover. There are many reasons why you should use flowering groundcover plants in your garden. And, of course, you can find beautiful plants for it of all types, whether for a sunny or shady location, with a long flowering period or perennials flowers of all colors. If adding visual interest and color to your garden year after year is your desire, there are plenty of flowering and low-maintenance varieties that will transform the garden into a sea of blooms. Choosing the right plant for the proper location is the first and most important step to reducing future maintenance needs of your ground cover bed. To ensure success blooming ground cover plants should not be selected on aesthetic value alone. Flowering ones have an added value, of course, and there are many you can choose from relaxing chamomile, romantic creeping thyme, and lively and playful moss rose. That barren patch of soil in your garden needs a solution, and these low-growing, low-maintenance flowering perennials will suppress grass and “weeds” in garden beds and under trees and shrubs.Ī wide variety of plants may be used as ground cover, including perennial herbaceous plants, deciduous and or evergreen woody plants, and varying heights from 1 inch to 3-4 feet.įlowering groundcover plants have many functions, both in maintaining the soil fertile and keeping your garden beautiful. Flowering ground cover plants are real treasures to fill a vacant space with a seasonal show of texture and colors to those challenging areas in your landscape where turf grass is difficult to grow or maintain, such as dense shade and steep slopes, and poor soil.
