Thyme, or also called Bogorodskaya grass, is popularly called thyme. Its varieties are found not only in Europe, but also in Southeast Asia, as well as in northern Africa. Today we will introduce you to the most common varieties of thyme, describe in detail the process of growing, planting, care in the open ground, and also pay attention to how to propagate the plant.

Creeping thyme is a type of low-growing shrub. The height of the plant rarely reaches more than 15 cm. It is called so because of its ability to spread along the soil, forming a soft, fragrant carpet. The flowers have a bright purple hue and are collected in capitate inflorescences. This type is most often used by gardeners. It is used in landscape design because it blooms continuously all summer. The most common varieties of thyme are:

• "Colchis" - has light lilac flowers and spreads low (10 cm) along the ground;

Variety "Colchis"

• “Donna Valley” - grows in a dense carpet, the leaves are bordered by a yellow stripe, the flowering is constant pink;
• “Silver Queen” - forms a rather high (20 cm) loose carpet, the leaves are gray with a white edge, the inflorescences are densely arranged and have a pale lilac tint.

Creeping thyme is a type of thyme, among which you can also find:

Planting a plant

Thyme is grown in light, loose soil. Sunlight has a beneficial effect on its development, so planting in open ground is carried out in a well-lit place.

In order for perennial plants to take root well, the site must be carefully dug up in the fall. And add organic fertilizer (compost or manure). In the spring, when the weather is warm outside with a temperature of at least 13°C, the soil is dug up again and the seeds are sown.

Advice! After the thyme has been sowed, you can sprinkle the seeds with river sand. It will provide young shoots with additional nutrients and prevent water from stagnating on the surface.

After the seedlings sprout and grow a little, it is necessary to thin out the planting. The ideal distance between plants is 30-35 cm.

Fertilize and dig up the soil before planting thyme

In open ground, planting can also be done using seedlings. To do this, at the end of winter, thyme is sown in prepared trays. Watering the seedlings is carried out regularly, but not abundantly. Thyme grows under glass, which creates a greenhouse effect. After 3-4 weeks, the seedlings are taken out into the open air for hardening, and after another 2 weeks they are planted in a permanent place.

Thyme care

The first thing you need to do for thyme after planting is to pinch the tip of the stem, so the plant will form into a beautiful lush bush. Perennial crops require seasonal pruning. In the fall, when the thyme has stopped flowering, it is necessary to shorten the bushes. In the new season you will see how this procedure helped the plant become denser and acquire a decorative shape.

As it grows, shape the plant to get a beautiful bush

Regular weeding and removal of weeds, which draw most nutrients from the soil, are very important for thyme. Since thyme already grows rather slowly, “undesirable neighbors” will further inhibit its growth.

Caring for the plant also involves watering it, which should be done no more than twice a week in dry weather and even less often if the summer is not very hot.

Important! Cover perennial plants with peat or fallen leaves for the winter.

Fertilizer and feeding

It is undesirable for thyme to add fresh manure to the soil. Growing thyme in open ground allows the use of wood ash. It will not only add nutrients to the soil, but also reduce acidity.

Feed the perennial with mineral fertilizers

The first fertilization of thyme is carried out with urea in early spring. If this is the first year, then before germination, and in the second and subsequent years during spring pruning.

Advice! Mineral fertilizers can be applied from the second year of life of creeping thyme.

Thyme propagation

Reproduction of creeping thyme varieties in open ground is carried out in three ways:

Diseases and pests

Creeping thyme is very resistant to attacks by pathogenic bacteria and pests. Planting and caring for it is not difficult. It is unpretentious, but the only drawback is its slow growth.

The main pests of Bogorodskaya grass are:

• weevil;
• meadow moth;
• sandy sluggish.

Sand slow beetle

Thyme can also be affected by some fungal diseases. This happens due to violations of agricultural cultivation techniques. Excessive watering, infrequent weeding, and shading of the plant lead to the spread of fungi on it.

Deep plowing, regular loosening of the root area of ​​the soil, and timely weeding will save you from insect pests. Pests can also be removed by applying fertilizer containing lime or other alkaline fertilizers.

Creeping thyme: combination with other plants

Thyme looks great in group or joint plantings. It can be used as a background for plants with large textured leaves. Often they play on the contrast of colors in combination with heuchera.

Thyme in landscape design

Creeping thyme attracts a large number of butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects with its powerful aroma. Therefore, it can be planted next to cucumber beds. By flocking to the smell of thyme, bees will help pollinate other vegetable crops.

Thyme or Bogorodskaya herb is the main component in the composition of bouquets made for the holiday of the Holy Trinity. These bundles also contain wormwood, mint and lovage. Since ancient times, it was believed that the combination of their aromas would drive away all evil spirits from the home.

Creeping thyme in landscape design

Being a low shrub that creeps along the ground, thyme is used in landscape design as a background for alpine slides and mixboards. But he can act there in the leading role. Looks very good on rocky screes.

Decorating a rock garden with thyme

Growing creeping thyme will bring you a lot of pleasure. You can enjoy not only the beautiful appearance of the fluffy bushes, but also its wonderful spicy smell. And what bright and rich photos you get against the backdrop of thyme is simply a sight for sore eyes.

Growing thyme: video

Black thyme, or Bogorodskaya grass, is popularly called thyme. It grows across much of Europe and is also found in Africa and East Asia. There are up to 400 varieties of thyme. It is valued by gardeners and landscape designers for its worthy decorative qualities and ease of care. In addition, the plant is endowed with a wide range of medicinal properties.

Thyme (thyme) is a perennial plant, a subshrub type from the Lamiaceae family. The semi-lignified stems reach a height of 25-40 cm. The green branches crowning it spread along the ground and look like blueberry shoots. Because of this, thyme is ideal for landscaping a personal plot.

The leaves are elongated, with short petioles. On the surface there are aromatic glands that produce phytoncides. They determine the ethereal taste and smell of the herb.

Thyme blooms from May to the end of August.

The flowers are collected in a bunch, tightly adjacent to the branch. The color can be different: lilac, white, pink. After flowering, fruits are set in the form of oval-elongated nuts, up to 7 cm long.

Wild thyme grows everywhere in nature: along roads, in meadows, fields and forest edges, at the foot of the mountains. It is unpretentious in growth, so it feels equally comfortable in fertile and depleted soil.

Varieties of thyme

In nature, there are about 400 species of thyme or thyme. Each one is individual in its own way, differing in size, height and growth principle (creeping or ascending), color scheme, aroma. The most common representatives are:

• common thyme;
• creeping thyme;
• lemon thyme.

Thanks to the tireless work of breeders, quite promising varieties have been developed, with no less worthy technical and decorative characteristics. The range of thyme is wide, so gardeners have plenty to choose from.

The plant is a semi-shrub type, up to 15-20 cm high. The leaves are small, with internal fluff. The colors of the inflorescences are different: white, pale lilac, red. This type of thyme is less frost-resistant compared to creeping thyme. In landscape design, dwarf varieties of common thyme, for example, Elfin, are more often used.

A perennial species of thyme with numerous thin stems spreading along the ground. They tend to become lignified with age at the base, rising at the tops. The shoots reach a height of 20 cm.

The leaves of creeping thyme are oval, ovoid or lanceolate, green in color. Small in size, oppositely located.

The flowers are small, collected in voluminous inflorescences of various colors: scarlet, purple, pink, two-color. This type of thyme is unpretentious to growing conditions: drought- and frost-resistant. The most common varieties of creeping thyme with a specific lemon aroma are:

• Sommertime.
• Rainbow.
• Early Minor.
• Dorfler.
• Donna Valey.

A low-growing variety of thyme, no more than 15 cm in height. The leaves are ovate-elongated, yellow-green in color, becoming rich green over time. The culture is characterized by a persistent lemon smell. Lemon thyme forms a dense leaf cushion, grows quickly and therefore requires constant pruning of shoots.

This type of thyme (thyme) does not tolerate low temperatures well, so shelter is necessary for the winter.

Perennial shrubs with short shoots, up to 10 cm in height. The flowers of purple-violet thyme are deep purple in different shades. A representative that is quite aggressive in growth and intensively occupies the available free space.

A low perennial, popularly called flea thyme. It has a lignified root system that produces short shoots: raised or creeping. They are bare, fleecy, faceted or rounded. There are small hairs on the leaf blades.

Mountain thyme blooms with delicate pink and red flowers. Emits a pleasant ethereal aroma that spreads over large areas around. Thyme gets along well on rocky soil, but does not tolerate excess moisture.

Thyme, which prefers to settle in hilly areas where calcareous soil predominates. Has high drought resistance. Valued by gardeners for its strong aroma, even when dried, and used as a ground cover plant.

Chalk thyme is a honey plant, so it is better to place it next to beds of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. This attracts pollinating insects.

Chalk thyme grows in dense, low bushes (10-13 cm long), with abundantly branching, ascending shoots. The flowers are so small that they are visually inconspicuous: a green corolla with lilac-pinkish petals.

A variety of creeping thyme, which has a second name - vegetable. It is especially predisposed to light, which is why it is also called solar thyme. Endowed with strong stems that stretch 20-25 cm above the ground. Due to their juiciness and aroma, they are often used in preparing various dishes.

The leaves of rainbow thyme are green, with a grayish tint. This representative reacts sharply to changes in soil moisture - it quickly dries out if there is a deficiency. Cultivating it in cool regions involves creating a shelter for the winter.

The shortest type of garden thyme, with shoots growing no more than 3 cm. It remains decorative throughout the growing season. Flowering occurs in May-July. Thyme blooms with small pink flowers.

It is unpretentious in care, grows and develops well even in depleted soil. Does not require frequent watering.

A creeping subshrub up to 17 cm long. It takes root quickly under any conditions. In the natural environment, it is usually found on rocky slopes where a surface layer of carbon is present. Not particularly sensitive to drought.

Bedbug thyme blooms all summer, starting in May. Inflorescences of bright pink color. The plant is used in folk medicine for its medicinal properties. Valued by landscape designers for its decorative qualities.

Bush thyme forms compact bushes 22-25 cm high. This type of thyme, unlike creeping thyme, has loose clumps. Ideal for decorating the sides of garden paths.

For each region, the appropriate variety of thyme is selected, depending on weather conditions.

A strongly branching subshrub, 20 cm tall. In nature, Altai thyme grows mainly on rocks, where there are large accumulations of crushed stone and lime. Grows well on sandstone. Blooms in late July with bright purple flowers. Keeps its decorative form until the end of August.

Altai thyme is considered a melliferous plant, so the largest accumulation is noted in the valleys of the Altai Territory. Altai thyme is unpretentious in cultivation. It is grown as a landscaping and medicinal raw material.

A compact shrub that is not picky about growth conditions and soil, often found in forests and on the edges. Prefers sandy and podzolic substrates. It takes root well even in drought.

The shoots of forest thyme are erect and stretch 10-12 cm in length. It blooms throughout the warm period - from May to September. Pink inflorescences.

A rather tall variety with creeping branches up to 30 cm long. The leaves are narrow and elongated. They form a dense green blanket. The flowers of the beautiful thyme are large, collected in thick spike-shaped clusters, and have a rich red color.

Beautiful thyme loves areas with good lighting. Thyme is undemanding to soil and moisture. Despite this, it is consistently beautiful throughout the summer season.

A variety distinguished by densely pubescent, non-lodging shoots that form round, dense clumps. The height does not exceed 25 cm. Sommertime thyme exudes a pleasant ethereal aroma.

Convenient for growing in stationary flowerpots and pots that are used to decorate the garden. For wintering, thyme is transferred indoors.

A variety of thyme, mostly growing in the Southern Urals. It is not picky when choosing soil; gravelly, chalk, sandy, and black soil are suitable. The only thing is that it does not take root well in clayey conditions.

Ural thyme is characterized by stress and drought resistance, but is demanding of light. Blooms with large bright pink flowers.

Mossy thyme

A low representative, with stems 1 cm long. Dark green foliage up to 3-4 mm long, forming a thick covering, like moss. There are no flowers.

In landscape design, mossy thyme is widely used as a replacement for moss cover, but only with aromatic properties.

In its natural environment, this species inhabits mainly the Crimean peninsula, a rocky and sandy area. The stems extend 15-17 cm above the ground. The flowers are small, lilac-pink and bloom in mid-summer.

Crimean thyme is valued by amateur gardeners for its ease of care, resistance to any weather conditions and rich aroma. Thyme successfully tolerates snowy winters without shelter, otherwise it freezes.

The plant is a semi-shrub type, growing up to 12-13 cm. The color range is pink and purple. The flowering period of thyme falls at the beginning of June, fruiting begins in August.

Wild representatives are found mainly in the Urals and North-Eastern Europe. Thyme, favorable to limestone, crushed stone and scree.

A slow-growing variety of creeping thyme, stretching 5-10 cm. The leaves are medium-sized, with pubescent plates, compactly distributed along the stems. It blooms earlier than other varieties of thyme - in early June. The flowers are lilac or soft lilac in color.

Used as a decorative ground cover.

Another beautiful early variety of thyme, up to 5 cm high. Dissolution usually occurs in June-July. Flowers are grouped into capitate buds. Grows equally well in the shade and in the sun. Prefers fertilized soils, but does not particularly suffer on rocky soils.

Tall representative, about 30 cm in height. Refers to the lemon-smelling type of thyme. The shoots are completely covered with small, dark green leaves. A characteristic feature of the plant is its persistent lemon aroma.

During the growth process it forms thickened clumps. The flowers are collected in spherical, loose heads, pale pink in color. For planting, it is preferable to select loose soils with deep groundwater.

A rare species on the verge of extinction, a regular in the Balkan Mountains. It has many similarities with creeping thyme. It is distinguished by excessively pubescent whitish foliage, slightly inclined at the top of the shoots.

It blooms with fragrant pinkish-gray inflorescences at the beginning of the summer season, for two weeks. Quite a beautiful view, but very capricious.

Creeping low grass with vertically rising shoots. Occupies large numbers of forest areas in Eastern Europe. Easily recognized by the way it forms a pointed plant covering.

The flowers are lilac in color, compressed into voluminous inflorescences. Leaf blades and branches are covered with multiple short hairs. The turf is actively growing. Easily tolerates drought and frost.

Choosing a suitable growing location

To plant thyme on a personal plot, varieties are selected based on the climatic conditions in a given region.

In addition, additional factors are taken into account: the presence of nearby groundwater, options for combining with other vegetation in height and color, and personal preferences.

Garden thyme is inherently unpretentious, but for beautiful and lush flowering it is necessary to adhere to certain agrotechnical measures. First of all, they decide on a place for planting: it must be sunny, with shade from the midday heat and protection from drafts. When growing in full shade, the shrub grows rapidly and loses its decorative effect.

A good location is the southern end of the garden, not far from the fence or other buildings. It is recommended to choose small hills to prevent flooding during spring and autumn floods. To be on the safe side, drainage is done.

The soil is pre-prepared: it is dug up in the fall, sand, lime and rotted compost are added to the clay soil. Thyme prefers a neutral or slightly alkaline growing environment, so the acidic substrate is diluted with ash. With the right approach, already in the year of planting, thyme will delight you with a young green carpet.

How to plant thyme

Thyme is planted in the spring, when the threat of sudden night frosts has passed and the daytime temperature has stabilized at no lower than 13 °C. They dig up a plot of land and sow the seeds.

Advice! After sowing the thyme, a layer of river sand is spread on the surface. This will ensure that young shoots are fed with the elements necessary for growth, and will prevent the growth of weeds and stagnant water.

As soon as the first shoots hatch and elongate a little, thinning is carried out. The optimal interval between plantings is 25-30 cm.

Seedlings that are prepared in advance are also planted in open ground - they are planted at home at the end of February.

Thyme seeds are sown in separate boxes and covered with glass to create a greenhouse effect. Maintenance is minimal: timely watering and periodic ventilation, removing accumulated condensate inside.

A month later, the grown and strengthened seedlings are moved to a balcony or greenhouse for hardening. And after another 2 weeks they are transplanted to a permanent place in the garden. You shouldn't deepen the bushes too much. After planting, the ground around is mulched: crushed stone, pebbles, stone chips.

Thyme also takes root well when planted in autumn - in September. Before the first frost, the bushes have time to gain strength and take root.

Methods for propagating thyme

Thyme propagates in several ways:

• cuttings;
• dividing the bush;
• seeds.

Thyme can successfully reproduce by self-sowing and if you do not limit the space, it will soon be everywhere.

Seeds

The most labor-intensive option that gardeners resort to in order to obtain a large volume of planting material. In early spring, thyme seeds are sown directly into beds (in the southern regions) or into a greenhouse. It is important to monitor the seedlings so that their development is not interfered with by weeds. As the plantings grow, the excess ones are pulled out.

Some summer residents prefer to grow seedlings at home in trays and then transplant them into open ground when it warms up. You can buy the soil mixture ready-made or prepare it yourself: mix peat and river sand in equal proportions. Seeds are immersed to a depth of 0.5-1 cm.

The seedlings are placed closer to the heat source and covered with film or glass. Do not forget to periodically open and remove the condensation that forms on the glass (film). With the first shoots, the temperature in the room is lowered, the greenhouse protection is removed and less moisture is provided. Thyme seedlings are sprayed with settled water as the soil dries.

When seedlings are harvested early and planted in the garden, thyme begins to bloom already in the same season.

Cuttings

Thyme easily takes root in a new place with shoots. To do this, choose a creeping branch that has not yet become lignified. Cut to a length of 15-20 cm from the top for tall representatives and at least 5 cm for short ones. The plot is planted separately in a greenhouse or outside, but with the creation of a greenhouse structure (covered with a jar, stretched with film).

A sign of complete rooting will be the appearance of green leaves on the seedling. Over the course of 3 weeks, they are regularly moistened and a young plant is obtained. Thyme often takes root on its own. The gardener can only separate the shoot from the mother bush and replant it in its place.

The advantage of this method of propagation is the preservation of the original varietal characteristics and ease of implementation.

Dividing the bush

This option is used when it is necessary to reconstruct an alpine hill or border. The original thyme bush is carefully dug up and the root ball is untangled. Then it is cut with a shovel or other garden tool into the required number of pieces. The cut areas are treated with coal dust.

The plots are planted separately. The disadvantage of this method is that the mother planting is damaged in the process.

Features of plant care

Thyme is an unpretentious plant and it is not difficult to care for. Despite this, it is recommended to adhere to basic agrotechnical measures:

• Watering is carried out only in dry weather. At the same time, only the top layer of soil is moistened. Before flowering, the bushes are sprayed more often, which helps them gain strength. It is not recommended to overwater thyme, as this leads to rotting of the roots. In case of frequent rains, the plantings are covered with film.

• They observe a certain light regime: in complete shade, thyme becomes inconspicuous, loose and drooping. Only an abundance of light will revive the plant.
• Thyme does not particularly need feeding - most wild representatives grow well even on stones. You can add a little mature compost 1-2 times per season. For garden varieties of thyme, it is sometimes necessary to add ash or lime to the soil. Mineral fertilizing is not needed.
• Systematically weed and loosen the flower area, as weeds clog the growth of thyme.

To make maintenance easier, you should mulch the beds with thyme with stone chips.

Trimming and shaping

Timely pruning will help create a beautiful green covering of thyme grass and prolong flowering. Remove shoots depleted of foliage. To give a specific shape to the curtains, which is important for alpine slides, gardeners use a topiary frame.

After the thyme has finished flowering, it is advisable to do health-improving pruning: mow the plantings almost to the base, leaving grass 2-3 cm high on the surface. But this procedure is practiced only in regions with warm winters. In severe frosts, this leads to freezing of the plant.

Diseases and pests

Thyme rarely gets sick, but if agricultural practices and inappropriate growth conditions are not followed, it can be affected by fungal diseases and insects. Of the latter, the following are particularly dangerous:

• Meadow moth - damages foliage and stems. When butterflies are detected, the bushes are treated with insecticides.
• Sandworm is a large black bug that settles on the entire above-ground part of the plant. It can be helped by placing traps with a poisonous substance.
• Weevils are small black beetles that feed on young leaves and shoots. Partially captures the buds during flowering. The method of getting rid of the pest is similar to the previous one; it is additionally sprayed with insecticides.
• Aphids are millimeter-sized insects that attack stems and leaves. To combat them, special insecticidal preparations are used.

The most common diseases: rust, root rot, fungus. The plant becomes covered with brown spots, withers and is inhibited in development. At the first signs of damage, the clumps are dug up entirely and destroyed, and the soil is treated with copper sulfate.

Combination with other plants

All varieties and types of thyme successfully harmonize with other vegetation. This is an ideal ground cover, with superficial formation of the root system. This allows you to grow it together with representatives that have deep roots.

Thyme looks impressive as a background to plants with large leaves and flowers. Gardeners often use thyme as a tapeworm and plant it in hanging pots and stationary flowerpots. With the right combination of color and aroma, quite sophisticated and impressive joint compositions emerge.

Thyme can be planted nearby:

• flowers that have no scent;
• vegetables, as thyme attracts insects for pollination.

Thyme is widely used in landscape design for the design of alpine slides, mixborders, and rocky screes.

Thyme looks no less impressive in a pot on the windowsill. Its unpretentiousness allows cultivation at home. To do this, it is necessary to select appropriate containers, and the planting material itself is taken when dividing garden bushes.

Soil is poured into the pots - ready-made soil is suitable for cacti or succulents. Add chalk to make it loose. After planting, mulch the root zone with rock chips. Place the grass in a sunny place where there is no draft.

The advantage of thyme is that it can easily withstand dry winter air in apartments. Watering is usually done infrequently, as the surface soil layer dries. In cloudy weather, the plant is illuminated with ordinary lamps, extending the daylight hours to 17-18 hours.

Pros and cons of use in landscape design

The presence of thyme in the garden will bring a lot of positive moments for owners and guests:

1. When combined with other plants, thyme creates eye-catching compositions.
2. Allows you to turn any fantasies and creative ideas into reality.
3. A pleasant spicy aroma will fill the surrounding space, which will serve as a prevention against many diseases and will lift your spirits.
4. Serves as a honey plant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
5. It is a medicinal raw material that can be stocked for a long period.
6. After cutting, thyme remains fresh for a long time. It is used to make compact bouquets. Thyme looks especially impressive in combination with mint, wormwood or lovage.

The downside to having thyme is its ability to grow out of control. But the problem is easily solved by erecting a fence.

The benefits and harms of the plant

Thyme is endowed with a wide range of beneficial properties due to its rich biochemical composition. It contains:

• organic acids: quinic, caffeic, oleic, ursulic, chlorogenic;
• fats;
• vitamins: A, C, PP;
• minerals;
• flavonoids;
• gum.

Thyme has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Infusions and decoctions are taken as a disinfectant for a number of health problems: sore throat, toothache, stomatitis, gingivitis and other lesions of the oral cavity.

Thyme effectively lowers blood pressure and normalizes blood circulation. Thyme oil promotes the healing of wounds, abrasions, cuts and other damage to the skin. External and internal use of herbal forms helps with furunculosis and diabetes.

A herbal tea drink strengthens the immune system, which is especially important in winter, when the body needs the most support. Thyme is indicated in complex treatment: colds, flu, ARVI.

Contraindications

Despite the great benefits of thyme herb for the human body, it can also cause harm. Not all people will benefit from taking thyme-based medicines.

Obvious contraindications include:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• kidney and liver pathologies;
• stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• allergic reaction to individual components in the herb;
• hypertension.

Since thyme has the property of warming, it is not used as an antipyretic. This will only make the situation worse.

Important! Long-term use of thyme-based medications leads to side effects: nausea, vomiting, dizziness. Then stop the herbal therapy and consult a doctor.

Where is thyme used?

Due to its rich composition and many beneficial properties, the herb is in demand in folk medicine. For medicinal purposes, various forms based on thyme are used: alcohol tinctures, water infusions and decoctions, oil.

All above-ground components of the plant are suitable for the production of medicines at home: leaves, shoots. Herbal decoctions and infusions help in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Thyme is considered a natural aphrodisiac and is included in medications for impotence.

Its aroma heals and serves as aromatherapy: relaxes, calms, relieves depression, normalizes sleep, improves mood. The oil is dripped into a special lamp, and due to the evaporation of water, the air is saturated with healing vapors. Due to phytoncides, thyme is able to disinfect the surrounding space from pathogenic bacteria.

Thyme is no less in demand in the culinary field. So, in Mediterranean cuisine there are many recipes with this herb. It is customary to add it to tea and various dishes. Thyme extract transforms the taste of dishes, making them richer. Fresh thyme fruits can be substituted for black pepper.

The bactericidal, antiseptic and regenerating properties of thyme have not gone unnoticed in cosmetology. It is used to make: masks, lotions, tonics that have a beneficial effect on problematic and sensitive facial skin. Regular procedures with them saturate the epidermis with nutrients and vitamins.

Thyme infusion recipe

A water infusion of thyme is commonly used for mouth and throat gargling, inhalation, and as a hair rinse.

The recipe for making thyme infusion involves the additional inclusion of mint or blueberry leaves. The components are taken in equal proportions. The process consists of the following steps:

1. Dry or fresh raw materials are crushed.
2. One tablespoon of the mixture is poured with hot water at a temperature of 80-90 °C.
3. Wrap the vessel in a warm towel and let it brew for an hour in a warm place.
4. The finished infusion is filtered and divided into 3-4 equal portions.

Take the drug throughout the day, regardless of meals. To add flavor, you can add honey or dilute it with a little water.

Preparing a decoction of thyme is not much more difficult. To do this, finely chopped fresh or dried herbs are mixed with a liter of cold water. Place in a water bath and remove after boiling. Then wrap it in cloth and wait until it cools completely. The decoction is taken in equal parts throughout the day.

The decoction helps in the complex treatment of diabetes, furunculosis, and various types of allergies.

Alcohol tincture of thyme

An alcoholic tincture of thyme is intended for internal use and also as an external remedy for treating problematic facial skin and rubbing. Helps with rheumatism and joint pain.

Required ingredients:

• thyme shoots - 200 grams;
• vodka - 500 ml.

Cooking procedure:

1. The grass is ground.
2. Place in glass containers.
3. Add alcohol and close the lid tightly.
4. Place in a cool and dark place for 2-3 weeks. Don't forget to shake it once a week.
5. After the prescribed period, the tincture is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.

Take 1 teaspoon once a day. Against acne, treat the face with a cotton pad soaked in the product. After washing your hair, it is recommended to rinse it with a solution of tincture and water - 1 teaspoon per 1 liter.

Alcohol tincture can be stored for about a year. Contraindicated for internal consumption in children.

Thyme is grown to decorate the garden plot and to obtain a useful herb that will cure a runny nose and cough, give strength and energy, and save you from the blues. In ancient times, thyme was idolized and considered a miraculous remedy against all diseases. Today we have not stopped believing in this.

Thyme is a representative of the Lamiaceae genus and belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This is a perennial plant that can be cultivated as an annual within the garden. In nature, different types of grass grow everywhere, and large populations are concentrated in the mountains, steppes and floodplains. This low bush likes sunny, windless areas and clear weather. Black thyme is not picky about the mechanical composition of the soil, since, thanks to its developed root system, it can obtain water from great depths.

Thyme is unpretentious and resilient. The grass does not need fertilizing or frequent watering. All she needs is space for her long creeping shoots to grow. Flowering begins early, already in mid-June and lasts until the cold weather.

Note!

In nature, thyme does not grow as quickly as in a cultivated summer cottage. This is because in the garden the soil is more enriched with minerals, which contribute to the rapid growth of creeping shoots. This must be taken into account and timely pruning must be done.

The world of herbs is large and diverse. If we are already accustomed to dill and parsley, then basil, tarragon, hyssop not so long ago...

Thyme Mossy

The lowest representative of the species. The height of the coating is 1-2 centimeters. Creeping thyme. Long curved stems cover the entire surface in their path, entwining foreign objects (stones, fences, other plants). The foliage is small, dark green, and grows in a cup-shaped form. Due to the density of the covering, a dense terry carpet is created, which blooms with lilac flowers in mid-summer. There are few of them. Mossy thyme is primarily planted as a moss substitute. Great for landscaping bare areas of the garden.

Crimean Thyme

This variety of thyme grows on the Crimean Peninsula. The bush is a low, highly branched, densely leafy plant. In the south it can be found in river valleys at the foot of hills and hillocks, next to cliffs and mountain ranges. Like all types of thyme, Crimean thyme is unpretentious to soil fertility, so you can safely plant it where other plants will definitely die. Not capricious to watering and fertilizers. Flowering occurs in the first ten days of June and lasts a month. The fruits are small black seeds that can be used to propagate the species. All above-ground parts can be used to make healing agents.

Thyme lives in Crimea for several years, and it needs to be covered for the winter, especially in snowless and frosty winters, since the fragile shoots do not tolerate cold weather.

Thyme Talieva

The variety was named in honor of the famous Soviet botanist Valery Taliev. It is a spreading subshrub up to 15 centimeters high. The centimeter-long leaves are located on long petioles and are sparsely spaced along the stem. Dark pink flowers with purple edging are collected in paniculate racemes.

Grows mainly on rocky soils and marls. Flowers bloom in mid-June. The nut fruits fully ripen at the end of summer. In nature, it can be found in the Urals, Siberia and the European part of Russia.

Thyme Early minor

Slow-growing, low-growing perennial groundcover shrub. The height of the cover is only 3 centimeters. Peduncles grow 15 centimeters. Early minor has a highly developed root system that goes underground to a depth of two meters. The leaves are small, round, arranged in pairs on tiers. The wood of the stems is practically invisible due to the densely dotted leaves. During flowering, loose paniculate inflorescences of pink color, smelling of honey, bloom above the greenery. Flowering lasts four months (from June to September).

Grows well in sunny areas, but does not mind partial shade. Drought-resistant, not susceptible to diseases and pests. Low sensitivity to cold, needs shelter for the winter. The variety is well suited for decorating an alpine hill.

Thyme variety Red Carpet

Characterized by abundant, long-lasting fragrant flowering. Burgundy flowers completely cover the stems and leaves. The height of the covering layer is only 5-7 centimeters. The shoots are long and flexible and grow quickly. The leaves are silver-green, cornerstone. An ideal variety for decorating garden plots. It is unpretentious, grows well on loams, but performs better on sandstones and rocky areas.

Blooms from June to August.

Red Carpet thyme sprigs are suitable for brewing delicious aromatic tea that has a calming effect.

Dorfler variety

Found in the Balkans. Rare view. Prefers warm regions and has low sensitivity to low temperatures. The leaves are pointed, pale green, heavily pubescent with white hairs. It blooms all summer with gray-lilac flowers. It is unsuitable for cultivation, as it is capricious and in the central part of Russia, as well as in the North, full growth is difficult.

Lemon-scented Thyme

Hybrid of French selection. Known for its citrus aroma. The plant has an original leaf color - they are green-yellow. As the plant ages, its color changes to dark green. The flower petals are pale pink. Before flowering, the thyme carpet is light yellow, and during flowering it is pink. Such beauty will relieve the garden plot from everyday life.

Sensitive to humidity and cold. Does not tolerate life on loams well. When growing thyme as a perennial crop, you should cover it for the winter. Watering should be rare. Thyme should grow only in open sunny areas. The following varieties are used in landscape design:

1. Silver Qeen is a variety with green foliage edged with a gray stripe.
2. Bertram Anderson - light green foliage with yellow streaks.
3. Golden Duarf - blooms with lilac flowers. The stems emit a strong lemon aroma.

Archers gold is especially popular. It is famous for its large yellow leaves and purple flowers.

Thyme Common Compactus

The most common. Successfully used in landscaping. A compact, low-growing shrub grows no more than 20 centimeters. Its ovoid, dense leaves are glossy on top and pubescent on the inside. The color of the flowers can be white, pink, lilac, lilac, burgundy, purple. There are bicolor species. Common thyme blooms throughout the summer. Compactus has no complaints about the composition of the soil; it works well on depleted, weakly filled soils.

Common thyme is usually used to decorate garden paths and arrange hedges. The variety is classified as medicinal. It is included in many medications with different effects.

Known varieties:

1. Alba - blooms with white flowers.
2. Splendence - the color of the petals is dark red.
3. Elfin is a dwarf plant, the height of the stems is no more than 5 centimeters. Blooms with purple flowers.

Thyme variety Donne Valei

Belongs to the lemon-smelling group of thymes. Compared to other species, it is a tall plant (height up to 35 centimeters). Long curved shoots are decorated with lemon-colored leaves with green veins. At the ends of the stems, multiple flowers are collected in spike-shaped racemes-inflorescences. Donne Valeya blooms with purple flowers.

The variety is not winter-hardy, so you need reliable shelter. Afraid of overflows, picky about soil composition. It is valued by gardeners for its decorative effect, which lasts throughout the summer, and a pleasant strong citrus aroma.

Thyme Soddy

What is characteristic of this low-growing shrub is that even in winter it does not shed its fleecy, needle-like leaves, which emit a bitter orange aroma. Very frost-resistant, never gets sick, and is not attacked by pests. It blooms in mid-summer with white or light lilac flowers.

Thyme Creeping

A group of thymes with long shoots spreading along the ground. The branches are densely overgrown with tight, glossy, cylindrical leaves. Flowers can be of different, unusual colors. There are varieties with white, carmine, pink-violet, and coral flowers.

Known for his unpretentiousness. It is easy to propagate using seeds or cuttings. He is not afraid of frost or drought. It performs well in well-lit, quiet areas, although it is not averse to growing in light partial shade. It begins to bloom in the second half of July. It gives beauty until the very end of summer.

Note!

It is creeping thyme that is popularly called thyme or Bogorodskaya herb.

Thyme Subarctic

Thyme of this species is a low subshrub with slender thin stems, which form strong wood at the base by the end of the season. Peduncles are erect, slightly pubescent. The branches reach 7 centimeters in length. The leaves are elliptical in shape, sometimes with cilia or entire edges. Small purple flowers are collected in loose capitate inflorescences. Over time, the flowering inflorescences lengthen and become narrower.

Subarctic thyme is common in the forests of Eastern Europe (Scandinavia). In Russia it mainly grows in the Murmansk region. It is in a state close to being included in the Red Book. Grows on sandy soils, near rocky seashores, and mountain streams. Flowering occurs at the end of July and lasts for a month and a half. The variety is valued for its high content of essential oils.

Conclusion

Thyme is an amazingly versatile plant. It is valued for its decorative properties, long-lasting flowering, pleasant aroma and healing properties. And what a carpet of flowers blooms in the middle of summer! No photo can convey such beauty! This herb will be useful to everyone who has their own garden - it will decorate the garden and cure colds. It is also added to various dishes. Thanks to its unsurpassed aroma and specific taste, this spice will make any treat special. Which thyme to plant in your garden is up to you. Luckily there is plenty of choice.

The genus Thyme from the family Yamnotaceae unites many varieties, mainly unpretentious, woody shrubs, subshrubs or ground cover perennials, and bush forms are also found. Thyme is used in folk medicine and in cooking; during flowering, the plant attracts beneficial insects to the garden. Let's look at popular types and varieties with photos and descriptions.

Description of the plant

Thyme has been known since ancient times; the Romans dedicated it to the god of the earth Saturn and the goddess of love Aphrodite. Showing respect to the deities, people burned bunches of fragrant grass in temples or threw them into sacrificial fires, and incense - thyme smoke - rose into the sky. The expression “smoke incense” is interpreted as sincere admiration and the highest praise. The plant has other names - creeping thyme, Bogorodskaya herb, black thyme and thyme.

The height of the bushes can be different; creeping branches extend from the main stems to the sides; a well-grown bush completely covers the ground. Stems and shoots are most often covered with small, thin glandular hairs. The shape of the leaves and inflorescences, as well as their color, depend on the type and variety of thyme. The seeds are black, oblong. The plant tissues are covered with glands that produce aromatic essential oils.

Interesting!

Wild thyme is found throughout almost the entire territory of the former USSR along roads, on well-lit forest edges and on mountain slopes.

Thyme in the garden

Bogorodskaya grass fills the area with a pleasant aroma and gives aesthetic pleasure. In the garden, thyme can be used to fill empty plots of land, slopes, decorate individual background compositions, borders, and plant greenery in alpine hills or rockeries. , attracts bees.

When planting Bogorodskaya grass in a mixed-variety flowerbed, its growth should be limited, otherwise the ground cover will quickly occupy the entire free area. To limit this, sheets of plastic, metal, as well as natural or artificial stones are dug into the ground. It is difficult to imagine garden design in the Provence style without different types of thyme.

Varieties of thyme

In total, 400 species of thyme are known, but there are no longer enough varieties to count, and breeding work does not stop. More than 50 species grow in the European part of Russia, almost the same number in Siberia and the Caucasus, 6 species grow in the Far East, and only one in Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Varietal forms are more decorative than the parent plants, they are brighter and have a richer aroma, but wild varieties do not lose popularity.

purple violet

A semi-shrub variety with shoots no longer than 10 cm, grows quickly, and covers the soil with dense cushions. Miniature purple flowers are collected in medium-sized corollas. It is better to avoid planting purple thyme with other flowers; thyme will clog them.

Mountain

The common name is flea thyme. Creeping or slightly rising shoots up to 15 cm in length, low bushes, the root of the plant is woody. The flowers are pinkish-red or light pink, the leaves are ovate, pubescent, fragrant. The stem can be pubescent or bare, rounded or faceted. The plant is unpretentious.

Note!

Mountain thyme does not tolerate excessive moisture, so it naturally grows in areas with rocky soil. When planting, choose dry places or organize good drainage.

Chalky

Shoots rising up to 15 cm in length, glabrous, highly branched. The flowers are pink, almost invisible due to the greenish corolla. In nature, the species grows on the slopes of chalk hills and is found in limestone outcrops. The plant is endowed with a very strong aroma; the branches are dried for tea.

Cretaceous or limestone thyme is an excellent honey plant; it is practically not used for decorative purposes. The species is often planted near beds (not between rows) with various crops to attract pollinating insects. In poor soils, the bushes develop poorly, but they become even more fragrant.

Rainbow

Stems up to 25 cm in height, leaves grey-green. The shoots and leaves are fleshy, very aromatic, they are used to prepare various dishes; for this feature, rainbow thyme is called vegetable thyme. The first cutting is carried out a month after emergence, then as needed. The species is sensitive to waterlogging and requires shelter for the winter.

Pygmy

A miniature variety, bushes no higher than 3 cm, numerous stems tightly covering the ground, the greenery does not lose its decorative effect throughout the growing season. It blooms from May to July, the buds are light pink. Pygmy thyme grows well without fertilizing, but requires regular watering.

Klopovy

A subshrub variety no higher than 15 cm with creeping, rooting shoots, blooms from late spring to August, pink flowers. Bedbug thyme prefers chalky soils, is often found in pine forests, and develops well on sandstones.

Ural

Found in the foothills and river valleys of the Southern Urals. A subshrub with low creeping stems and large pink flowers. Optimal soil types for the species: rocky, chalk, gravelly, chernozem and sandy soils; loam or clay soils are not suitable. Ural thyme is resistant to various weather factors, unpretentious, but grows only in open, well-lit places.

The species is listed in the Red Book of the Sverdlovsk and Kurgan regions.

Altaic

A semi-shrub species, stem height about 20 cm, grows in lowlands, on mountain slopes and in the foothills of Altai, selects chalk, gravelly and sandy soils. It blooms from June to early September with purple flowers. Altai thyme is used in folk medicine; the plant is rich in essential oils and is an excellent honey plant.

Forest

Subshrub up to 12 cm high with pink flowers. The species is unpretentious, grows well in places with dry and poor soil, and in nature settles in bright meadows and forest edges. Flowering begins in the first half of May and ends in August.

Handsome

The stems are up to 30 cm in height, many long, creeping shoots extend from them, the leaves are elongated, the inflorescences are spike-shaped, the buds are very bright, purple. The species prefers open steppe areas. Beautiful thyme is absolutely undemanding; it quickly covers the soil with a dense carpet.

Sommertime

Varietal bush form, shoots heavily pubescent, straight. As it grows, the bush takes the shape of a ball with a diameter of up to 30 cm. The leaves are bright green and very fragrant. Most often, when decorating a plot, Sommertime thyme is planted in pots, and the plant is taken home for the winter.

Mossy

The shortest variety - leaves and stems rise above the ground no more than a centimeter. Mossy thyme does not bloom, it densely covers the ground, from the outside it looks like ordinary moss, but differs from it in that it exudes a pleasant aroma.

Crimean

Found in Crimea, it grows on rocky and sandy soils in the mountains and valleys. Stems up to 15 cm in height, flowers pinkish-violet or light lilac, bloom towards the end of June. Crimean thyme is very aromatic, resistant to prolonged drought, does not overwinter in cold regions, and requires shelter.

Need to know!

During the entire growing season, thyme is harvested twice - when the buds appear or immediately after flowering, the plant contains the largest amount of essential oils during these periods. You need to cut off the tops of the shoots (by a third), tie small bunches, and dry in a dark, ventilated room. In the next season, stocks are renewed; the grass quickly loses its medicinal properties.

Talieva

Semi-shrub form, stems no higher than 15 cm, flowers pink with a purple tint. Taliev's thyme is found in the Urals and North-Eastern Europe; it grows well on rocky soils as well as soils rich in limestone crushed stone. Flowering begins in early June.

Early Minor

A slow-growing variety, stems up to 10 cm in height, leaves are medium-sized, fragrant, pubescent. Flowering begins in June, the buds are dark pink or lilac. Early thyme Minor can be planted in flowerbeds with other flowers, but it looks best in alpine hills.

Red Carpet

Stems up to 5 cm in height, flowering begins in June, buds are bright red. When breeding the variety, scientists placed the main emphasis on decorativeness; the aroma is very weak. Red Carpet thyme grows well in almost all types of soil, except excessively heavy ones.

Donna Valey

The stems are no higher than 30 cm, the leaves are ovate, medium-sized yellow-green, and have a strong lemon aroma. The variety blooms from the beginning of summer, the inflorescences are capitate, sparse, the buds are pale pink. Thyme Donne Valley grows quickly, forms dense cushions, does not tolerate heavy soils and waterlogging.

Common Compactus

A low (up to 20 cm) subshrub that forms neat clumps. The stems are cylindrical, the shoots are creeping, pubescent at the bottom. The leaves are fragrant, dark green, medium-sized, oval or lanceolate. Light pink flowers bloom in July and flowering continues until the end of August. Common thyme Compactus grows in fertile, light soils. The plant looks especially beautiful in vertical gardening and in cascade planting in rockeries.

Creeping

A subshrub variety with creeping shoots, dark pink or light purple flowers, spike-shaped inflorescences, pubescent leaves on the reverse side, lanceolate, fragrant. unpretentious, grows quickly, covers the ground with a dense dark green carpet.

Dorfler

In nature it grows on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains. The variety is heat-loving and does not tolerate even light frosts. The leaves have dense pubescence, which is why they appear silvery; the flowers are pink with a gray tint. Dofler's thyme is grown on a windowsill and taken outside only in summer.

Lemon-smelling

Archers gold lemon-scented thyme was developed recently, but it has already become a favorite among gardeners and is used in folk medicine. The leaves are golden-green and fragrant. The plant does not tolerate excess moisture, does not grow on clay and loamy soils, and requires shelter for the winter. The variety develops quickly; during the flowering period, dense clumps are completely strewn with pink flowers.

Attention!

When purchasing varietal thyme seeds, be sure to consult with the seller, study the information on the packaging; some artificially bred forms are very sensitive to the external environment, they are grown only in flower pots.

Subarctic

A semi-shrub form with erect stems, it grows wild in the forest areas of Eastern Europe. When growing, the variety creates a dense turf. Subarctic thyme is not afraid of frost and drought, and winters well without shelter. The stems and leaves are very fragrant, pubescent, the inflorescences are capitate, the buds are dark pink.

Bush

A perennial species from Central and Eastern Europe. The main shoots are recumbent, the flowering stems are woody, erect or almost erect. The leaves are oval, bare or slightly hairy on the reverse side. The flowers are pinkish-purple or white and bloom in July. Bush thyme is frost-resistant and is not afraid of drought.

Siberian

Steppe variety, common in Siberia and Mongolia. The root is creeping, the stems are creeping, woody in the lower part. The leaves are dark green, the flowers are a rich pink hue, open towards the end of spring, flowering continues until September. When Siberian thyme grows, it creates a dense carpet.

When choosing, consider not only the climatic conditions of the region, but also the composition of the soil. For example, you should not plant a variety in clay soil if in nature it grows on sandstone. Thyme is a useful plant, fragrant, decorative and unpretentious; plantings do not need to be renewed every year; from the variety of species and varieties, everyone will find something for themselves. Be sure to allocate some space for Bogorodskaya grass in your garden, you won’t regret it.

Thyme dwarf (T. pigmeus) - a low-growing species up to 3 cm in height, with small, dark green, very fragrant leaves. Forms a dense cover. The leaves are dense on thin, highly branched shoots. The leaves are small, green, and overwinter under the snow. The flowers are pink. Blooms from mid-May to July. The flowers are collected in cone-shaped inflorescences and appear in June-July. Grows best in a dry, sunny, non-fertile place. Plant in rock gardens, front gardens with herbs, along paths, and among sedums on flat roofs.

Location: prefer sunny places. Plants can withstand partial shade and even shading, but in such conditions they stretch out and bloom poorly.

The soil: areas with light, fertile, well-drained soil that is alkaline or neutral.

Landing: can be carried out at any time - the plants are unpretentious and drought-resistant, but not in late autumn, since the plants must take root well before frost.

Care: There is no need to fertilize the plants; at best, you can add a little ripe compost or horn flour to the soil. If thyme bushes are regularly pruned, they will be dense and compact. Do this in early spring or after flowering. The shoots are shortened by about two-thirds - to the lignified part. Watering is necessary only in dry spring and summer, when young shoots are actively growing and the plants are preparing to flower. There are no diseases or pests on thyme. Harm to plants is caused only by excess moisture on heavy clay soils during prolonged, rainy weather and winter preheating. The best measure to combat this evil is good drainage and mulching the soil around the plants with fine gravel.

Thyme is a frost-resistant, unpretentious plant. Under snow cover, it easily endures winter. In open areas with little snow in the winter, it is necessary to cover with spruce branches, which protects the plants from spring sunburn.