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    • Photo of Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin' foliage by Avant Gardens

    Photo by Avant Gardens

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin'

    Also Known As

    • Thymus praecox 'Elfin'
    • Elfin Creeping Thyme

    Plant type

    perennial, groundcover, herb

    size

    • H: 2"-4"
    • W: 12"-24"

    planting zones

    • 4a-11

    More Options

    Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin' plant details

    Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin' is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover herb with green foliage. In spring and summer pink and purple flowers emerge. Features fuzzy and glaucous texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in gritty, rich and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin'

    Plant type: perennial groundcover herb
    Plant family: lamiaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 12 IN - 24 IN - wide, 2 IN - 4 IN - tall
    Flowers: pink and purple blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, fragrant, mat-forming, rock garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin'

    USDA Zones: 4a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit
    Soil needs: gritty, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This cute little thyme has rounded, emerald green leaves packed along the stems that form a dense, speading mound. A lovely little texture to view up close. Lavender flowers. Attractive to bees.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Light pink flowers bloom above a tight mat of tiny, aromatic, gray-green foliage. Deer resistant. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established. Use as filler between stepping stones, along walkways and as underplanting for shrubs. Tolerates varying amounts of foot traffic.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    This is the perfect creeper for establishing between stepping stones, or for use in troughs. Not more than half an inch high, with fine textured aromatic leaves, and pink lavender flowers in early summer.

    By: Avant Gardens

    One of the flattest tiniest thymes. Dark green aromatic leaves make a thick flat mat. Use for mini lawns, between paving stones or for a full lawn replacement. Can take light foot traffic. Best in full sun, with moderate water and gritty well drained soil. Our favorite for the mini scene.

    By: Mini Forest By Sky

    No information

    By: Daryll's Nursery

    Aromatic, dwarf shrub to 4" with trailing stems, tiny, rounded leaves, and pink flowers. Hardy to 5 °F. Northern Europe.

    By: Native Sons

    The TEENIEST Thyme! We're always being asked for groundcovers, & it's hard to find any that we can really get behind. Either they're too invasive, or too hard to grow, or they're just plain old boring. I really have affection for this diminutive Thyme, & it works exceptionally well as a groundcover without eating up all of your garden space. When planted between pavers, it will eventually fill in densely, & is great for any spot in your garden where you just want something low, green, & well behaved. Flowers are small & pink, attractive to our friends the honeybees, & the overall habit is very low & flat. It's a drought tolerant plant, but watering will help it spread faster to fill in. Tolerates many soil types, including heavy clay, can be used as a culinary herb, & YES, you can walk on it if you want to! Please be gentle, though.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin' plant

    How to Grow Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • gritty

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • pink
      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous
      • fuzzy

    See other plant types of Thymus for your garden

    Thymus vulgaris

    aka Thymus vulgaris 'French Thyme', Common Thyme, Culinary Thyme, English Thyme, The Herb of Courage

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Herb

    Zones

    4a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 6"-12"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Thymus vulgaris flower by Kurt Stueber
    View Plant

    Thymus longicaulis

    aka Creeping Thyme

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Herb

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 3"-6"

    Width: 18"-36"

    • sun
    • drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Thymus longicaulis flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Thymus pseudolanuginosus

    aka Thymus praecox, Thymus praecox 'Pseudolanuginosus', Thymus serphyllum lanuginosus, Thymus serphyllum lanuginosus, Thymus serpyllum Pseudolanuginosus Group, Thymus serpyllum var. lanuginosus, Woolly Leaved Thyme, Woolly Thyme

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Herb

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2"-6"

    Width: 1'-3'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Thymus pseudolanuginosus foliage by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Thymus 'Fragrantissimus'

    aka Thymus fragrantissimus, Orange Scented Thyme, Orange Thyme

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Herb

    Zones

    5a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4"-8"

    Width: 10"-16"

    • sun
    • regular - low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Thymus 'Fragrantissimus' flower by Kurt Stueber
    View Plant

    More Options

    Thymus camphoratus

    aka Champhor Thyme

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Herb

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 10"

    Width: 10"

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Thymus camphoratus flower by Lumbar
    View Plant

    More Options

    +55 more Thymus
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