Do you have the Thyme?

[Quinn01]

So i know there are a few different kinds of thyme out there such as lemon, lime, and a few others.

So is there any difference growing wise or anything that you can do to inhanse the flavor?

[KYHeirloomer]

No, Quinn. All the herbaceous thymes are grown the same, and will provide their inherent flavor profile.

The low growing thymes, on the other hand (creeping thyme, mother of thyme, etc.) seems to be richer in essential oils, and release their aromas if even touched.

[Anneke]

Hmm... Not ALL creeping thymes do KYH. I bought a creeping thyme for my back yard that has smelled of NOTHING all year. Big disapointment.

My favourite thyme of all is rose petal thyme. I would happily wear this stuff...

[AndyG]

My 2 cents . . if KY is off on this, that is a rare exception. KY knows the garden as well as just about anyone in the USA.

Oh that doesn't include Canada lol

[KYHeirloomer]

Thanks for the support, Andy. But if there's one thing I know for sure it's that there's a heckofalot I don't know.

Anneke: You've actually been walking through the stuff, and it doesn't release an aroma? I'd be disappointed too.

[stir it up]

Of course KYH is the garden guru round here and I don't think he was "off" at all with his advice, if someone adds something I would think they're not saying KYH is anywhere near wrong, just maybe adding some more information.

I went to my catalog to look up the Rose Petal Thyme, (print version of Richters Herbs - Medicinal, Culinary, Aromatic - Plants & Seeds ), which is a great herb supplier, they sell over 1000 herbs, 27 varieties of Thyme.

Now I have to get some Rose Petal Thyme, it says it is a beautiful creeping thyme that forms a dense mat and emits a scent like a rose geranium when stepped upon, excellent for rockeries and walkways. You can get 120 plants for $70. Anneke, do you use it in food, or is it just a ground cover/ornamental thing.

When I looked at the ground covering thymes, most note that they make an aromatic smell when walked on, but the wooly thyme says lacking scent and flavor.

Quinn, I keep it simple and just grow two Thymes, French Thyme which has a nice flavor, and Silver Thyme, for visuals in garnishes (it's a white and green variegated).

I don't bother with the lemon-, coconut-, caraway-, lavender-, mint- thymes, just grow a basic thyme and if I want lemon, I'll add lemon (or lemon oil or rind), if I want caraway I'll use caraway.

But if one strikes your fancy, why not, as KYH said they're all pretty much grown the same, just check the zone if you want them to be an easy perennial. (most are fine for zone 5-9 but there are a few rare exceptions).

[Anneke]

My creeping thyme was not wooly. I got it at home depot just to try it out. The label said fragrant when walked upon. Nothing.....

My rose petal thyme is not a creeping thyme, Stir it up, and I got mine from Richters. Are you sure there aren't two varieties? I've been growing mine in a wide pot so I'm sure if there were any creeping tendancies they would be inhibitted, but it does seem to grow 'up' more than 'out'. As for the aroma, I don't really find it to be too rosy, just the more floral notes of thyme. It's a great herb...