Thymus pulegioides 'Aureus'

RHS Plant Profile

golden broad-leaved thyme

RHS 2002

Synonyms

Thymus 'Golden Lemon' misapplied
Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. 'Aureus'

Shrubs

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A bushy evergreen shrublet to 20cm in height, becoming spreading and more open with age, with small, bright yellow, lemon-scented leaves and erect, interrupted spikes of tiny pale lilac flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: 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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most well-drained alkaline to neutral soils in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring. Semi-hardwood cuttings may be taken in mid- to late-summer although some bottom heat may be required

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 10

Pests

Generally pest-ree

Diseases

Generally disease-free