Thymus praecox "Pseudolanuginosus' - Woolly Thyme

Sizes available: 4.5" pot

Basics: zones 5-8, 2" x spreading mat, full sun to part shade (if dry shade), tiny lavender flowers in late spring to early summer, needs good drainage.

Common names: Woolly Thyme

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin/Distribution: This is a cross between T. praecox (Mother of Thyme) and T. pseudolanuginosus (Woolly Thyme) - However, taxonomists now classify Woolly Thyme as a subspecies of T. praecox: T. praecox subsp. britannicus. Either way, this plant has tiny soft grey-green leaves and a creeping habit. 

Habitat: rocky, sunny, well drained spots

More: Creeping thymes are very tough customers. They endure foot traffic well and can be used as a lawn substitute in the right conditions. Wooly thyme is very pretty as the hairs on the leaves reflect sunlight and give a silvery cast to their grey-green color. As long as there is very good drainage, it even does well in a partly shaded spot. I have it growing with Geum triflorum and some Sempervivums along the edge of a sunny garden and all the different textures combine pleasingly.

Source: Van Berkum Nursery

Image credits: courtesy of Van Berkum Nursery