Water-Wise Gardening

California-Friendly Plant: Thyme

You already know thyme as an herb that belongs on your spice rack, but did you know it’s also an attractive and fragrant addition to your California-Friendly garden?

Common thyme, Thymus vulgaris, grows a foot high and two feet wide and blooms in white or lilac-colored flowers. It is ideal for herb or rock gardens or as a low edging, and also can be grown in containers. Some varieties, such as creeping thyme, make good groundcovers as well. Creeping thyme, Thymus serpyllum, grows just three inches high but spreads three feet wide.

In addition to its beauty and aroma, thyme is also great to cook with and can trim your food bill – making it one of the most useful members of your water-wise garden. Check with your local nursery or gardening center to see what varieties are available.