Thymus serpyllum
"Breckland wild thyme"
Orders placed before 1 March 2026
You can expect your order in February/March 2026
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2026
You can expect your order in March/April 2026
Orders placed 16 April - 26 May 2026
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
The best kind of floral carpet is a living one and Thymus serpyllum does the job to perfection, spreading low across the soil with its soft pink summer flowers adding a gentle splash of colour. This dwarf evergreen shrub, also called wild thyme, Breckland thyme or creeping thyme, forms a wide mat up to 5cm high, its subtly aromatic pointed dark green leaves providing a lovely contrast to the delicate soft pink blooms. Whether tucked between paving stones, along a border, or filling a sunny rockery, Thymus serpyllum brings a touch of understated elegance and a little fragrance to any spot it graces.
Through summer, Thymus serpyllum’s soft pink flower clusters are a magnet for pollinators, offering both beauty and a little bit of garden wildlife magic. The low, spreading habit of Breckland thyme makes it perfect for edging paths or softening the base of shrubs, while the tiny, dark green foliage keeps the display fresh long after the flowers fade. Plant Thymus serpyllum where it can be admired up close, and enjoy how this modest yet enchanting plant fills spaces with subtle colour year after year.
Our Thymus serpyllum plants are supplied as a root ball with healthy growth, ensuring a strong start. They are carefully shipped in our unique cardboard box, designed to keep them safe and in top condition. This ensures they arrive healthy and ready to thrive in their new home.
Breckland wild thyme is one of the few Thymus varieties native to the British Isles, thriving on the heathlands of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Key features
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Comes back every year
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Attractive to wildlife
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Loved by pollinators
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Thrives well in full sun
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Low maintenance
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RHS Award (AGM)
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Fully hardy
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Rodent resistant
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Thymus serpyllum
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Flower colour
Soft pink
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Plant size
9cm root ball
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Established height
5-10cm
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Established spread
30-50cm
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Plant spacing
9 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Green
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Habit
Spreading
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
2-3 years
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Sunlight
Full sun
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Position
Sheltered
Exposed -
Suitable for
Rockeries
Coastal gardens
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Damp
Free draining -
Soil type
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost
Sand -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
No
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Pollinator-friendly
Yes
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Mouse resistant
No
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak your Thymus serpyllum roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting.
Plant your "Breckland wild thyme" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors.
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed.
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed before 1 March 2026
You can expect your order in Feb/March 2026Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2026
You can expect your order in April 2026Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2026
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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