This Flowering Herb Attracts Bees, Butterflies, And Hummingbirds All Summer

When we think of pollinator plants, we usually don’t think of herbs. Perhaps it’s because we so often harvest them before they bloom. That is a shame. When thyme transforms into a carpet of pink and purple flowers, the effect is dramatic. The little blossoms light up the garden and attract countless bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. You might have planted thyme for its savory leaves, but it can be just as beautiful as any ground cover.

Thyme is also evergreen, drought-resistant, and deer-resistant. What more can you ask of a flowering summer herb? If you don’t already have a large patch of thyme in the garden, find out how to grow this summer-blooming herb to attract pollinators of every kind.

How To Grow Thyme

There are hundreds of species of thyme. Those used in cooking have a warm, earthy flavor. Thyme is actually a member of the mint family that grows wild in Mediterranean and European countries. People often grow garden or common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) for the kitchen and creeping thyme (T. praecox, T. serpyllum) for the flowers. Lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus) can have an orange or lemon scent, while caraway thyme (T. herba-barona) has notes of caraway or nutmeg. Woolly thyme (T. pseudolanuginosus) is grown for its fuzzy, matlike foliage rather than its scent or flavor. You can find variegated thymes and varieties that bloom in shades of white, pink, and purple. Collect them all to create a beautiful patchwork of summer color.

Regardless of species, thyme needs well-draining, slightly dry soil in full sun. Zone 10 summers are too hot for thyme, but you may be able to grow it successfully with afternoon shade. Thyme does well in sandy, rocky, or light and loamy soil. If you have clay, grow thyme in containers or a raised bed.

Thyme will rot away when planted in a wet spot. However, new plants can dry out and wither away quickly. Water your new plants until they become established and begin growing into the surrounding soil. Thyme is a drought-tolerant herb, but it appreciates an occasional deep watering during dry spells. Containers need weekly watering.

Regular harvesting and pruning will keep the plants from turning woody and thinning out. Wait to prune until the end of summer so your thyme has a chance to flower. Don’t remove more than half the plant or cut it shorter than 5 inches. Ground-hugging plants can be pruned around the outer edges. If your thyme gets too gnarly after a few years, replace it with new plants.

Ways To Use Thyme In The Garden

Thyme needs to be planted in front of taller plants so the sunlight can reach it. Garden or common thyme typically grows 6-12 inches tall, while creeping thymes form a 3-to-6-inch tall mat. Thyme should always be placed in well-draining soil, but beyond that, its uses are many. Here are some creative ways to use thyme in the garden:

• Plant thyme along the edge of a wall where it can spread outward and spill over the side.
• Use it on a hillside or in a rock garden. Thyme can survive in small crevices.
• Plant thyme to fill gaps between stepping stones—but watch out for bees while it is blooming.
• Use thyme to edge a flower border or as a companion plant in the vegetable garden.
• Plant creeping thyme as a lawn replacement, placing plugs 6-12 inches apart.

Thyme can take two years after planting to start blooming. Some, like ‘Elfin’ and woolly thyme, don’t produce as many flowers, but many of the creeping thymes are the best bloomers. With a little patience, this herb will reward you with a few weeks of colorful flowers that draw in bees and butterflies.