Common Name: Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris ‘Argenteus’
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Color: Variegated leaf with lavender-colored flowers
Harvest Period: Snip leaves anytime
Size: 0.5 to 1 feet high and wide
Soil: Light, well-drained
Exposure: Full sun
Watering: Dry to medium
pH: 6.8 to 7.7
Cold Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8, to -15 ºF, -26.1 ºC
Origin: Southern Europe from the western Mediterranean to southern Italy.
Thymus vulgaris ‘Argenteus’ is a real winner when gardening in North Carolina. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, feel-drained soils in a full sun location. So you can see, it’s pretty easy going. It just doesn’t want wet soils where it tends to rot.
If your Thymus vulgaris ‘Argenteus’ gets woody or if you want to stimulate new growth, just cut it back throughout the summer. Or keep clipped as you harvest the leaves to flavor your supper.
The leaves are highly aromatic, giving off a lemon-scented whiff. The leaves are variegated green and silver, and are used in landscaping for culinary purposes, such as soups, stews, sauces, meat, fish, and also as a garnish for a savory dish. This thyme works well in the front of the border, in your herb garden, rock, garden, and in containers.
Easily found in North Carolina nurseries, so just ask for it at your local garden center.