Thymus pulegioides

'Large Thyme'

[Ex. Bedfordshire, England]

Lamiaceae: A rather tufted, sometimes mat-forming perennial that lacks woody runners. The whole plant is strongly aromatic, smelling of culinary thyme. Grows on chalk downland and dry heaths. The flowers are from 4-6mm long, pinkish purple, in whorls, blooming from June-August. The leaves are ovate, short-stalked, opposite. Common only in the south of the country, scarce or absent elsewhere in the UK. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia south and east to Spain, Serbia and Bulgaria.

USES:

The leaves can be used as a condiment. They can be used as an ingredient of the herb mix 'bouquet garni', or added to soups, vegetables, going particularly well with mushrooms or courgettes. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly.

The leaves, and especially the essential oil contained in them, have antiseptic, deodorant, disinfectant and expectorant properties. 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.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Requires a light well-drained preferably calcareous soil in a sunny position. The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to honey bees. Seed can be sown both spring and 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.

HARVESTED: 

APPROX. 300+ SEEDS