Thymus pseudolanuginosus

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Thymus pseudolanuginosus
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:6
Soil pH:6.6-8.4
Evergreen
Height:0.2'
Width:3'
Blooms:Mid Summer-Late Summer
Shelter
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Thymus pseudolanuginosus (common name: woolly thyme)

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Seed can also be sown in autumn in a greenhouse. Surface sow or barely cover the seed. Germination can be erratic. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Division in spring or autumn[1]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Cuttings of young shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, May/June in a frame[1].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[1].

Layering.

Cultivation: Prefers a light, well-drained calcareous soil and a sunny position[1]. Plants tolerate occasional walking on and can be grown in cracks in paths, they also succeed on walls[1]. Thymes dislike wet conditions, especially in the winter. A layer of gravel on the soil around them will help protect the foliage from wet soils[2].

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[2].

The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to honey bees[1].

This is a very difficult genus taxonomically, the species hybridize freely with each other and often intergrade into each other[1].

Range: The original habitat of this plant is obscure.

Habitat: Not known in a wild situation

Edibility: The leaves have a thyme scent and are used as a flavouring in food[2].

Medicinal: The leaves, and especially the essential oil contained in them, are strongly antiseptic, deodorant and disinfectant[1][2]. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use[2].

Usage: An essential oil is obtained from the leaves.

Pollinators: Bees, flies, lepidoptera

Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

In Leaf: Evergreen

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Also Known As: T. lanuginosus. non Mill. T. serpyllum lanuginosus.

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