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ShrubsHerbs - Culinary

Thymus 'Lemon Variegated' (v)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

thyme 'Lemon Variegated'

An attractive, bushy, evergreen shrub with variegated green-cream foliage that has a wonderful lemon scent. Tight clusters of pale lilac flowers appear in summer. Excellent as a culinary herb

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Sand
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Cream Variegated
Summer Purple Green Cream Variegated
Autumn Green Cream Variegated
Winter Green Cream Variegated
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming, Bushy
Genus

Thymus are evergreen woody-based perennials, shrub or sub-shrubs with small aromatic leaves and terminal whorls of small, 2-lipped, tubular, purple, pink or white flowers in late spring or summer

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun. Won't tolerate wet or waterlogged conditions. Will tolerate drought and poor soils. See thyme cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by division and semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Cut back after flowering to maintain compactness

Pests

Generaly pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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