Drought Tolerant
These species are most often recommended for full sun, fast drainage and very dry sites. Some links below redirect to other pages.
Available in 4" (10 cm ) pots only. We currently grow:
Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood' (Dragon's Blood Sedum)
Sedum spurium 'Red Carpet' (Red Carpet Sedum)
Sedum kamtschaticum 'Variegatum' (Variegated Russian Stonecrop)
Thymus pseudolanuginosus (Woolly Thyme)
Thymus serphyllum 'Albus' (White Creeping Thyme)
Thymus serphyllum 'Coccineus' (Red Creeping Thyme)
Thymus serphyllum 'Elfin' (Elfin Thyme)
Companions
Dragon's Blood Sedum
Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood"
Height 6-8 inches (15-20 cm), flowers reaching 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
Spread 12 inches (30 cm)
Foliage Green/reddish margins when growing, turns crimson red in fall
Flower Dark pink
Blooming Summer
Hardiness Zone 3-8
Light Full sun (light shade tolerated early morning or late afternoon)
Moisture Average to dry
Soil Well-drained, sandy, gravelly
This low-growing variety has exceptional drought tolerance and durability in hot, sunny locations, and is named for the crimson red foliage colour it changes with cooler temperatures in the fall. It takes on a totally different look in flower, with erect stems of many star-shaped deep pink flowers in early summer. Plant amongst hardscaped areas in full sun, around pools, foundation plantings, rock gardens and crevices in retaining walls. Low maintenance once established, and easy to cut apart pieces to transplant for thicker coverage in time.
Recommendations for growing Sedum
Sedums performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil of average to low fertility. The soil and site must be well-drained with no standing water, particularly in the winter. Landscape screenings around hardscaping projects aid in drainage, though they do need some mineral soil mixed in for nutrients. Water once planted but only as needed after that. Do not over-mulch. Sedums are not aggressive enough to smother all weeds, but easy to weed around; they re-establish quickly from light disturbance. Plants can suffer occasionally from slugs and aphids, and may lose lower leaves during extended rainy periods. Shear back to remove spent flowers and renew growth.
Red Carpet Sedum
Sedum spurium 'Red Carpet'
Height 6-8 inches (15-20 cm), flowers reaching 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
Spread 12 inches (30 cm)
Foliage Burgundy red all season
Flower Dark pink
Blooming Summer
Hardiness Zone 3-8
Light Full sun (light shade tolerated early morning or late afternoon)
Moisture Average to dry
Soil Well-drained, sandy, gravelly
This variety is very similar in habit to 'Dragon's Blood' above, but offers consistently red foliage all season long. Do not overfertilize or growth will be more green than red when actively growing. Flowers sporadically, sometimes not at all.
Recommendations for growing Sedum
Sedums performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil of average to low fertility. The soil and site must be well-drained with no standing water, particularly in the winter. Landscape screenings around hardscaping projects aid in drainage, though they do need some mineral soil mixed in for nutrients. Water once planted but only as needed after that. Do not over-mulch. Sedums are not aggressive enough to smother all weeds, but easy to weed around; they re-establish quickly from light disturbance. Plants can suffer occasionally from slugs and aphids, and may lose lower leaves during extended rainy periods. Shear back to remove spent flowers and renew growth.
Variegated Russian Stonecrop
Sedum kamtschaticum 'Variegatum'
Height 4-6 inches (10-15 cm), flowers reaching 8 inches inches (20 cm)
Spread 12 inches (30 cm)
Flower Orange-yellow
Blooming Early summer
Hardiness Zone 2-8
Light Full sun (light shade tolerated early morning or late afternoon)
Moisture Average to dry
Soil Well-drained, sandy, gravelly
'Variegatum' is just that, very variegated! It is one of the most cold-tolerant sedums available, due to its Siberian origin. Virtually trouble-free, it forms a denser mat of bigger leaves than the spuriums, and beautifully tight foliage and vibrant yellow-orange flowers make a bold statement. Plant amongst hardscaped areas in full sun, around pools, foundation plantings, rock gardens and crevices in retaining walls.
Recommendations for growing Sedum
Sedums performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil of average to low fertility. The soil and site must be well-drained with no standing water, particularly in the winter. Landscape screenings around hardscaping projects aid in drainage, though they do need some mineral soil mixed in for nutrients. Water once planted but only as needed after that. Do not over-mulch. Sedums are not aggressive enough to smother all weeds, but are easy to weed around; they re-establish quickly from light disturbance. Plants can suffer occasionally from aphids, and may lose lower leaves during extended rainy periods. Shear back to remove spent flowers and renew growth.
Dense gray hairs on woolly thyme mean it is very drought tolerant in summer.
The front entrance to Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens showcases a large planting of thyme cultivars. Photo by Allan Armitage.
Very drought tolerant, woolly thyme loves draping over hot rocks.
Dense gray hairs on woolly thyme mean it is very drought tolerant in summer.
Woolly Thyme
Thymus pseudolanuginosus or T. praecox var. arcticus
Height 1-2 inches (3-5 cm)
Spread 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Flower Pale pink
Blooming Summer
Hardiness Zone 4-9
Light Full sun to light shade
Moisture Average to dry
Soil Well-drained
Remarkable for its dense carpeting habit and densely grey-haired 1/4" long leaves, this evergreen thyme is well suited to filling in around flagstones, spilling over rocks or edging walkways in full sun. Pale pink flowers appear close to the foliage throughout summer. Will tolerate moderate foot traffic. Not as edible as the other cultivars. All thyme species support bees and small native pollinators.
Recommendations for growing Woolly Thyme
Thyme performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil of average to poor fertility. Regardless of texture, the site must be well-drained at all times, particularly in the winter or rot will occur. This is why thyme is best suited to sandy or gravelly soils, as hardscape filler plantings, as screenings and thin soils in stonework cracks aid in drainage. Water well once planted but only as needed after that. Avoid mulching plants if possible. Thyme is not aggressive enough to smother all weeds, but easy to weed around; they re-establish quickly from light disturbance. Plants can suffer occasionally from aphids. Maintenance of established plantings can include shearing after flowering or rejuvenation of older, woodier crowns by division.
A clean white flower blends in well in sophisticated landscapes.
A clean white flower blends in well in sophisticated landscapes.
White Flowering Thyme
Thymus serphyllum 'Albus' or T. praecox 'Alba'
Height 2-3 inches (5-7 cm)
Spread 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Flower Pale pink
Blooming Summer
Hardiness Zone 3-8
Light Full sun
Moisture Average to dry
Soil Well-drained
Often requested, white-flowering thyme is an alternative design choice to the standard pink-flowering creeping thyme, though sometimes less robust. Grow in full sun to maintain tightest growth habit. Leaves are a more vibrant green than other thymes we grow. Well suited to herb gardens, filling in around flagstones, spilling over rocks or edging walkways. All thyme species support bees and small native pollinators.
Recommendations for growing Creeping Thyme
Thyme performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil of average to poor fertility. Regardless of texture, the site must be well-drained at all times, particularly in the winter or rot will occur. This is why thyme is best suited to sandy or gravelly soils, as hardscape filler plantings, as screenings and thin soils in stonework cracks aid in drainage. Water well once planted but only as needed after that. Avoid mulching plants if possible. Thyme is not aggressive enough to smother all weeds, but easy to weed around; they re-establish quickly from light disturbance. Plants can suffer occasionally from aphids. Maintenance of established plantings can include shearing after flowering or rejuvenation of older, woodier crowns by division.
Paired with woolly thyme, red creeping thyme makes a bold statement en masse. Photo by Allan Armitage.
A stock bed planted in early summer demonstrates growth rate by September.
Planted amongst rock crevices, thyme and lysimachia can fill and spill effectively.
Paired with woolly thyme, red creeping thyme makes a bold statement en masse. Photo by Allan Armitage.
Red Creeping Thyme
Thymus serphyllum 'Coccineus' or T. praecox
Also called mother of thyme, wild thyme
Height 2-3 inches (5-7 cm)
Spread 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Flower Dark pink
Blooming Summer
Hardiness Zone 2-8
Light Full sun
Moisture Average to dry
Soil Well-drained
The most popular and widely used creeping thyme for its vibrant pink flowers, moderately fast growth rate and easy care. 1/4" long leaves and dense growth habit are very effective between paving stones, along walkways, around stonework and in the herb garden. This species is useful for edible gardens as well, and attracts bees and native pollinators.
Recommendations for growing Creeping Thyme
Thyme performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil of average to poor fertility. Regardless of texture, the site must be well-drained at all times, particularly in the winter or rot will occur. This is why thyme is best suited to sandy or gravelly soils, as hardscape filler plantings, as screenings and thin soils in stonework cracks aid in drainage. Water well once planted but only as needed after that. Avoid mulching plants if possible. Thyme is not aggressive enough to smother all weeds, but easy to weed around; they re-establish quickly from light disturbance. Plants can suffer occasionally from aphids. Maintenance of established plantings can include shearing after flowering or rejuvenation of older, woodier crowns by division.
At the beginning of bloom, these plants are ideal for retail garden centre sales.
Custom production of 18,000 4" pots for a large landscape installation.
A flat of 15 x 4" pots well covered.
At the beginning of bloom, these plants are ideal for retail garden centre sales.
Elfin Thyme
Thymus serphyllum 'Elfin'
Height 1-2 inches (3-5 cm)
Spread 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Flower Pink
Blooming Summer
Hardiness Zone 3-8
Light Full sun
Moisture Average to dry
Soil Well-drained
One of our favourite selections of creeping thyme, 'Elfin' is an even smaller, more compact cultivar with shell pink flowers in early summer. Its growth habit tends to mound and billow more than white or red creeping thyme, and is very effective around hardscapes or as a small-scale lawn substitute. Very drought tolerant once established. Foliage is also edible and flowers attracts pollinators.
Recommendations for growing Elfin Thyme
Thyme performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil of average to poor fertility. Regardless of texture, the site must be well-drained at all times, particularly in the winter or rot will occur. This is why thyme is best suited to sandy or gravelly soils, as hardscape filler plantings, as screenings and thin soils in stonework cracks aid in drainage. Water well once planted but only as needed after that. Avoid mulching plants if possible. Thyme is not aggressive enough to smother all weeds, but easy to weed around; they re-establish quickly from light disturbance. Plants can suffer occasionally from aphids. Maintenance of established plantings can include shearing after flowering or rejuvenation of older, woodier crowns by division.
Companions
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Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'
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