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ShrubsHerbs - Culinary

Thymus serpyllum 'Red Carpet'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

thyme 'Red Carpet'

A mat-forming, evergreen sub-shrub with finely hairy, trailing stems that bear small, aromatic, mid-dark green leaves. Whorls of tiny reddish-pink flowers appear in summer

Synonyms
Thymus praecox 'Red Carpet'
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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
Loam
Chalk
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Red Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
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

Grow in well drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun. Won't tolerate wet or waterlogged conditions. Will tolerate drought and poor soil. 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
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Cut back after flowering to maintain compactness

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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