Upright forms can be closely pruned to edge garden beds. Creeping types may be used in rock gardens or let cascade over walls. A floral pun results when a sundial is placed in the center of a tapestry of thymes. Let creeping forms fill in between stepping stones. With thyme, your imagination will run wild.
Thymes are native to the Mediterranean region and thrive in warm, dry locations.
Good drainage and air circulation are absolute musts for these members of the Lamiaceae family. If planted in a poorly draining site a thyme will quickly fall victim to root rot or fungal disease. Raised beds are ideal for growing thyme in Austin, Texas. In The Herb Garden Kitchen , Lucinda Hutson recommends placing a large flat rock at the base of newly planted thymes to help protect the shallow roots from scorching summer sun and unintentional uprooting. Other authors suggest that a gravel mulch will also be helpful.