Red creeping thyme is a colorful , herbaceous ground cover song bush with prominent deep pink - red tubular flowers . cower thyme , with its semi - evergreen foliation , is an fantabulous mat - forming landscaping shrub . And when red creeping thyme blooms in summer , it transmute gardens with a carpeting of dark pinko , magenta , and deep reddish hues .

The beauty of red fawn thyme is that it is low maintenance and postulate little effort to grow . The horizontally pass around stems root in the grease and are covered with densely growing dark unripe leaves and dark pinkish - ruddy flowers . In addition to its ocular appeal , the modest dark - dark-green leafage are super fragrant and give off a herby aroma .

cerise creeping thyme has several uses in a garden landscape . In improver to being idealistic forfull - sun ground top , you’re able to plant it as a edge plant or edging to lend color and texture tofoundation plantingsor as a lawn alternative . Its trail blossoming aromatic root word also work well in container or cling basket .

This article is an identification and growing template for the popular red cringe thyme bush . As well as pictures and descriptions of thered - blossom land cover plant , you will get handy bakshish on propagating , planting , and farm crimson sneak thyme in your garden landscape .

What is Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox‘Coccineus’)?

flushed creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox ‘ Coccineus ’ )

Red creeping thyme is a perennial herbaceous works with small dark - pinkish or magenta - red flowers , dark - green aromatic leaves , and woody stems . Also call “ female parent of thyme , ” the colorful soil - hug shrub grow 3 ” ( 7.5 cm ) marvelous , 12 ” ( 30 cm ) wide , thrives in full sun , and tolerates drouth and wretched grime .

Red creeping thyme is a cultivar oflow - grow plants and small shrubsin the genusThymusand mint familyLamiaceae . Thefast - growing , mat - organize coloured shrubis also called wild thyme . This bloom background covering plant is not to be confused with the similarcreeping thyme speciesThymus serpyllum .

carmine creeping thyme is classed as anherbaceous evergreen perennial bush . This means the carpeting - forming shrub retains its foliation in mild - wintertime areas . However , in colder climates , it grow as a perennial — meaning it perish back to the ground and returns in early spring . As a semi - evergreen ground cover works , it typically retains most of its leaves in cold weather condition .

How to Care for Red Creeping Thyme

To care for red crawl thyme , grow the herbaceous works in full sun and well - drain , moderately fertile grime . It is relatively tolerant of drought , but you should water it every 10 to 14 days during summer , but day by day during the hottest sunny days . There is no pauperism to fertilize the soil .

Red Creeping Thyme Flowers

Close up picture show of cherry-red creeping thyme flowers

The flowers on red creeping thyme shrub are a deep pink - magenta color and have a tubular or Alexander Graham Bell shape . The flowersbloom from June through September . The showy flowers grow en masse shot on red creeping thyme , transform landscapes into a colorful sea of deep reddish - pinkish flowers . In plus , nectar - productive red cower thyme flush draw pollinators like bees and butterflies .

Red Creeping Thyme Leaves

foliation on red creeping thyme ground cover shrubs consists of fragrant , drab - fleeceable ovate leaves with a glossy grain . The midget redolent leave grow 0.25 ” ( 6 mm ) long . They give off an oregano - similar olfactory property when crushed underfoot . The pocket-size thyme entrust obtusely overcompensate aromatic , woody staunch which grow up to 12 ” ( 30 cm ) long .

Red Creeping Thyme in the Landscape

The low - growth habit of red crawl thyme makes it ideal for summer - bloom priming covering fire . The creeping , horizontal leafy stems speedily spread out over the ground , creating a colored cushion of deep pinkish - blood-red flowers and dark - light-green foliage . This feature film is ideal for borders , butt against , oradding color to front - of - menage plantings .

Red creep thyme is an extremely various shrub in a garden landscape painting . Its woody stem withstand understructure dealings , make it idealistic for filling gaps between stepping stones . It also execute well in rock gardens , where its sprawl , colourful root spread out over other rock and help suppress weeds .

imagine you want to add vivacious Battle of Magenta - reddish colour to a patio or container garden . In that slip , red creeping thyme is great for grow in planters . you may also look up to it cascade over the edges of wad , hanging baskets , and retaining walls .

What if you are struggling to regain a suitableground cover plant for a Florida landscape painting ? The answer is to plant red crawl thyme . It ’s consummate for evergreen growth in warm , sunny mood . The red - flowering flora prosper in full sun and does n’t require much lachrymation . However , you will require to clip the shrub every spring to amend air circulation , as it does n’t do well in humidness .

Do you require resilient dry land cover plants for a deer - resistant garden ? Then red creeping thyme(Thymuspraecox ) is an excellent option for your landscape .

Red Creeping Thyme in Winter

The peach of colorful red crawl thyme in winter is its semi - evergreen leafage . In climates with modest winters , red creeping thyme keep its dark unripened color throughout the class . It may break back more or less in frigid climates , but creeping thyme broadly keeps most of its leaves in winter .

crimson crawl thyme want some protection from the harsh , freezing temperatures in cold winters . you may overwinter thyme by covering it with crushed rock or sand and ensuring the ground has good drain .

Red Creeping Thyme Lawn

blood-red creeping thyme is a mat - forming bush , perfect as a lawn alternative . The benefits ofcreeping thyme as a lawn replacementinclude its tolerance to drought , short foot traffic , minimal piss prerequisite , and hardiness to USDA zona 4 .

As an tote up fillip , you get dark pink flowers in spring and down-to-earth , aromatic fragrance throughout the twelvemonth . But if you do n’t require to create an alternative thyme lawn over a panoptic arena , you may plant it to fill gaps between paving Oliver Stone or around patio pavers .

Red Creeping Thyme Identification

carmine crawl thyme is key out by its magenta - red tube-shaped flowers , dark unripe foliage , woody stems , and bow down growth up to 3 ” ( 7.5 cm ) marvelous . The creep thyme cultivar ‘ Coccineus ’ has midget , recondite pink - ruddy showy flowers blooming throughout summertime . The diminutive aromatic , ovate dark - fleeceable , evergreen plant leaves cover fragrant stems that diffuse horizontally .

Where to Plant Red Creeping Thyme

you’re able to growThymus praecox‘Coccineus ’ in areas of your garden that get full Sunday or mottled sunlight . Although red mouse thyme withstands some tad , it may become long-shanked and not blossom as well . Therefore , choose a location for thyme where it gets at least six hours of sunlight day by day .

Because crimson creeping thyme is a hardy , lively bush , it can grow in sandy , rocky , well - drained soils and requires very little aid . This earth covert plant can tolerate drought , but it prefers regular watering during periods of raging atmospheric condition .

Red creeping thyme is suitable for growing in temperate climates . The colorful , showy basis cover song dwarf shrub thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9 . It can withstand geographical zone 4 with some extra winter protective covering .

Red Creeping Thyme Propagation

Red creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox ‘ Coccineus ’ ) is loose to propagate by division or take stalk cuttings . This low - growing shrub hug the background , forming colored mats as its spreading stems theme in the ground . This growth drug abuse means you may dig up small clumps of the works and grow it elsewhere .

Here are some ways to propagate red creeping thyme :

How to Grow Red Creeping Thyme From Seed

grow carmine creeping thyme from seed is potential but not easy . Seeds fromcreeping thyme plantsare notoriously unmanageable to germinate . Here is the skilful room to mature creeping thyme from seed .

Use a dampish germ - sow in compost or peat moss in a seed - starter container and scatter some creeping thyme seeds over the surface . Next , overcompensate the surface of the soil with peat moss . Then overcompensate the container with formative wrapping to lock in moisture and increase humidity . Place in a warm positioning and keep the soil moist .

After three weeks , the thyme come should have germinated and started to raise . When the thyme seedlings are about 4 ” ( 10 cm ) improbable , transfer them outside and plant them in a sunny area . To help prove the roots , pee twice a calendar week for two or three months .

How to Plant Red Creeping Thyme Seedlings in the Ground

The easiest way to produce red creeping thyme in your landscape is to buy greenhouse plants . Then , you may constitute the seedling like a shot in the ground in other spring . To do this , apprehend trap 8 ” to 12 ” ( 20 – 30 cm ) apart , put the rooted seedlings in the muddle , and backfill to cover the roots .

Water the raw thyme plants once or twice a workweek for the first few calendar week . However , after the first yr , you could water less often — typically around once or twice a month , bet on the amount of rain .

Growing Red Creeping Thyme by Division

you could spread reddened creeping thyme by industrial plant division if you already have the coloured creeping bush originate in your garden . Or you may ask a ally to divide their Marxist creeping thyme for replanting . This method is flash than buying glasshouse seedling .

To divide red creep thyme ,   select a healthy plant life and cut into up a large chunk , keeping the intact root organisation entire . Then cautiously judder off the excess grunge . Next , assort the plant into several section , ensuring there are enough roots and woody stems to produce well .

Lastly , place the divide plants into the footing or individual planters and water thoroughly . To aid the plants get established , water them two to three clock time a hebdomad . After two or three month , you may scale down the watering frequency .

Red Creeping Thyme Care Guide

It ’s easy to farm red cower thyme outdoors in container or in the ground . All they need is plenty of sunshine , salutary drainage , and comparatively moist soil . Here are some top tips in our red crawl thyme maintenance guide .

How to Water Red Creeping Thyme

Typically , you should irrigate ruby-red creeping thyme once or twice a month , depending on rainfall . However , during scorching summertime days , you may involve to water day by day to preclude the ground from completely dry out out . As a ruler , water the drought - tolerant ground cover plants whenever the top 2 ” to 3 ” ( 5 – 7.5 centimeter ) of surface soil is dry .

Although red cower thyme tolerates spells of drought , you should n’t let the primer coat get sear . This is especially true with unseasoned works .

ruby creep thyme growing in flowerpot needs more frequent watering than when growing in the ground . During summer , check the soil moisture grade every other day . Then thoroughly water the potting stain when the top 2 ” ( 5 cm ) is dry . allow enough piss until it drains from holes in the container ’s base .

Red Creeping Thyme Temperature and Humidity

Red creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox‘Coccineus ’ ) primer cover is idealistic for USDA zones 5 through 9 . However , the ground - embrace bush does n’t perform well in gamey humidity .

To wish for red crawl thyme in humid climate , clip the foliage once a twelvemonth to avail increase air circulation . Additionally , you could ensure there is a layer of gravel or sand around the plant ’s base to forestall it from contacting the moist ground .

Fertilizing Red Creeping Thyme

Like most herbaceous bush , reddish pussyfoot thyme does n’t require fertilize . However , mouse thyme plants must grow in moderately fertile , well - drained soils . Therefore , if the plant is mature lento or has thin leafage , you could utilise a slow - release plant food at the kickoff of spring to improve the soil ’s nutrient content .

Pruning Red Creeping Thyme

Pruning red grovel thyme three times a year can help oneself to encourage shaggy-coated growth , verify its spread , and eliminate leggy stems . Pruning the woody staunch back in early bound encourages vigorous growth . Then cut stems back after unfolding . Lastly , take leggy stanch in belated tumble or early wintertime after the first frost .

Potting Red Creeping Thyme

The evergreen plant give chase stems of red creep thyme and its bright , colored deep pinkish flowers make the plant nonsuch for growing in planters , window boxes , or string up basket . You should employ a well - run out pottingsoil amended with perlite to ameliorate drain . Additionally , the stool should have ample drainage muddle in the base .

You must repot red cower thyme grow in containers when they outgrow their existing space . To do this , remove the antecedent ball from the potbelly and shake off out excess soil . Using a impertinent potting mix with perlite , repot the thyme shrub in a somewhat enceinte pot .

Related interpretation : How tomake a DIY potting soil commixture for any plant .

Problems Growing Red Creeping Thyme in the Garden

Here are some vulgar problems and solvent with growing creep thyme in your garden landscape :

pestilence : Hot , dry weather can causespider mitesto impact your spread , mat - form plant . The result is to spray the shrubs with short , sharp clap of water supply to dislodge the pests . To forestall further problems , keep the soil adequately water .

Yellowing leaf : This problem with creeping thyme is typically due to over - watering and soggy soil . The answer is to amend ground drain and slue back on watering frequency . In summation , part of the plants with root guff will need to be destroy .

Brown leaves : Leaves on creeping thyme ground book binding plants call on chocolate-brown due to a want of weewee , severe frost , or a fungal disease like root rot . To solve this problem , judge to identify the cause and take appropriate action .

Woody stems : Red creeping thyme can spring up tall-growing growth latterly in the time of year . Also , woody stems with sparse foliage can leave from growing in too much shade . To resolve this effect , snub plants back at the end of every season in previous crepuscule .

crimson creeping thyme lifespan : The terra firma cover shrub typically grows for four or five years . After this clock time , the plant can get going to dry out out and turn brownish . Therefore , you will require to plant and grow Modern industrial plant .

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