Content
Thyme or thyme is one of the most popular aromatic herbs, widely used in cooking, folk medicine and landscape design. Humanity has been familiar with it for a very long time, during which time the culture has managed to acquire superstitions. There are also scientifically proven interesting facts about the plant. The genus unites more than two hundred representatives, but not all are popular among amateur gardeners.
What is thyme
Thyme (Thymus), also known as thyme, is a large genus of plants, part of the Lamiaceae family. Humanity has been familiar with it for a very long time; it was successfully “domesticated” back in Ancient Egypt. For several thousand years, thyme has been actively used in cooking, folk medicine and cosmetology, and now it is rightly considered one of the important essential oil plants.
The aerial parts (especially the leaves) contain phenolic compounds in very high concentrations. This explains the antiseptic effect of thyme and its benefits in the fight against diseases of the bronchopulmonary and digestive systems.
An extract from the leaves of the plant is included in some medications used to combat pathogenic microflora.
Thyme: Is it a perennial or annual plant
In principle, thyme is a perennial plant. But if the winter temperature drops below -20-25 °C, even careful shelter will not save the root system from freezing. Photos of thyme and reviews of gardeners who cultivate the plant in their dachas indicate that in Russia it is grown mainly as an annual plant - for the sake of its spicy greenery, and not for decorating the site.
In regions with temperate and more severe climates, a heat-loving plant will not survive the winter
Origin story
The first to “get acquainted” with thyme were the ancient Egyptians, who discovered the plant in North Africa. However, the most important role in the “popularization” of the culture was played by the Greeks, who actively studied its healing properties and found many uses for it in medicine, perfumery, and cooking.
The plant was first mentioned in the works of Theophrastus and Dioscorides. Its name is also Greek. According to different versions, the word thymos is translated as “courage,” “breath of life,” or “sacrifice.”
Russian “thyme” is a distorted Greek “incense” (“incense”). Dry leaves of the plant were often burned during services for the sake of fragrant smoke. He also managed to acquire many nicknames.The most common are “Bogorodskaya grass”, “incense”, “mukhopal”, “thyme”, “verest”.
Description of thyme with photo
Despite the large number, outwardly different types and varieties of thyme according to the description, in the opinion of a non-specialist, are quite similar. These are low (20-35 cm) shrubs or subshrubs with thin but tough, “woody”, intensively branching stems. The root system is quite well developed, the roots are taprooted and rigid.
Thyme shoots can be either recumbent or semi-erect, erect
Thyme leaves are whole, medium-sized, the shape varies from round to lanceolate, in most species it is ovate or broadly ovate. They are hard to the touch, almost leathery. In the most “northern” varieties of the plant, the edges of the leaves are cut out with small teeth.
The petioles of the leaves are short, sometimes they can be “sessile”
Thyme flowers look spectacular due to the number and bright color of the petals. They themselves are small, four-petalled. The buds are collected in inflorescences that look like “cones” or brushes. Most species, varieties and hybrids have petals colored in different shades of pink, purple and lilac. But there are also plants with snow-white, purple, ink-violet petals.
After flowering, the “box” fruits ripen; each contains four seeds - oval or round brown-black “nuts”
Types and varieties of thyme with photos and names
In total, there are 214 “representatives” in the family. But not everything was “domesticated.”Most often, varieties bred on the basis of common, creeping or lemon thyme are grown in household plots.
Common thyme, also known as medicinal or medicinal (vulgaris)
In nature, it is distributed mainly in the south of Europe. According to the botanical description, common thyme is one of the most “large-sized” species (25-30 cm tall). The growth rate is average, the bushes are not too dense. The leaves are glossy, with sparse “pile” along the edges. The flowers are pastel-lilac, collected in inflorescences 8-12 cm long with a pronounced pleasant aroma.
Young leaves and shoots of common thyme are red-purple; the underside of the leaf blade can retain this shade until the end of the season
Lemon thyme or lemon-smelling thyme (citriodorus)
The result of a “spontaneous” crossing of common thyme and field thyme (or flea thyme). Bushes no more than 15-20 cm high, very dense. Flowering is relatively short (June-July), the flowers are pinkish-lilac. This species is easily identified by its strong lemon aroma.
Lemon thyme is the most thermophilic of all varieties and does not reproduce by self-sowing.
Many types of lemon thyme bred by breeders look very impressive (photos and descriptions prove this):
- Aureus. An almost spherical bush 12-15 cm high. Lime leaves with a golden tint fully correspond to the name.
The specific shade of the petals of the Aureus variety depends on the growing conditions; it varies from lilac to pink
- E. B. Anderson (E. B. Anderson). One of the popular varieties with variegated leaves. At the top of the bright green leaf is a large lemon-yellow spot.
Thyme variety E. B. Anderson is actively used in landscape design for the design of rockeries and rock gardens
- Silver King.A very dense bush that forms a low (12-15 cm) “cushion”. The flowers are pale lilac, the leaves are bright green, with a snow-white edge.
Silver King is considered one of the most decorative varieties
- Silver Queen. “Twin” of the hybrid Silver King. The only difference is that the leaves are covered with thick pile, so they have a silvery cast.
Thyme variety Silver Queen stands out for its very abundant and long-lasting flowering
- Golden Dwarf. The bush is low, compact, actively branching. The leaves are small, with golden yellow spots.
The bright lilac flowers of the Golden Dwarf thyme variety contrast effectively with the yellow leaves
- Doone Valley. The height of the bush is 15-18 cm, the branching is not too intense. It is distinguished by the original color of the leaves - green gradually turns into creamy-yellowish-pink. The flowers are bright, lilac-pink.
Thyme of the Doon Valley variety is easy to “identify” by its almost round leaves
Creeping or mossy thyme (serpyllum)
Ground cover plant. In nature it grows mainly in the mountains. The height of the bushes is no more than 10 cm, they resemble dense “pillows”. The stems are recumbent, intensively branching, in contact with the ground, they quickly take root. The flowering is very abundant, the leaves are almost invisible.
Hybrids based on creeping thyme began to actively gain popularity among amateur gardeners about ten years ago.
Names, descriptions and photos of the most popular and decorative varieties of thyme (or creeping thyme):
- Albus. Bush 5-7 cm high. Leaves are small, bluish-green. The flowers are snow-white.
Albus thyme can be called “albino”
- Atropurpurea. It grows very actively, turning into a continuous “green carpet”.The flowers are bright purple.
The Atropurpurea variety has stems literally covered with sessile leaves
- Minor. A hybrid of the so-called “super dwarfs”. The height of the bush is a maximum of 3-4 cm. It grows very slowly.
The Minor variety has green leaves and flowers of different shades of lilac.
- Purple Beauty. The height of the bush is 7-8 cm. The leaves are very dark green, appear black from a distance. The flowers are dark burgundy or purple-violet.
On alpine hills, the Purple Beauty variety looks especially impressive against the background of light stones
- Harrington Silver. An original ground cover plant. Crimson flowers bloom against a background of silvery-gray leaves.
The Harrington Silver variety can be used to create flower beds in silver-gray tones, reminiscent of a “lunar landscape”
Flowering time
The plant blooms almost all summer - from mid-June to the end of August. In a climate that is optimally suitable for it, flowering is delayed for another 10-15 days. Then the seeds ripen quickly (in 2.5-3 weeks).
Flowering plant - an excellent honey plant
Places of growth
Thyme is not only common in the Mediterranean. Its different species can be found in Eurasia, including the northern regions. The plant even “reached” Greenland. In Russia, out of 214 plant species, botanists have discovered more than 170. It is widespread both in the Caucasus and the Black Sea region, as well as in Eastern Siberia and the Far East.
The requirements for the quality of the substrate differ among different species.But most prefer fairly light, dry, well-drained soil.
How long does it take for thyme to grow?
In natural varieties of plants under natural conditions, the “life expectancy” is 25-30 years. High-quality care “in captivity” can extend its life to 30-40 years.
Growing in the garden as a perennial, thyme is recommended to be replanted to a new location every 4-5 years.
Interesting facts about thyme
In ancient times and the Middle Ages, the plant was often credited with not only healing, but also magical properties:
- Ancient Greek priests and oracles actively used it in worship, believing that the aroma of the plant helped to literally “reach out to heaven.”
- In Rus', thyme was known under the nickname “herb of goodness.” Doctors “prescribed” its infusions and decoctions with goat’s milk to those grieving after a bereavement. Smoke from burning dry twigs was used to fumigate livestock and domestic animals, protecting them from the evil eye, the equipment of hunters and fishermen, and attracting good luck in fishing. People often wore fresh leaves or flowers on their chests to avoid being attacked by dark entities.
- Tea with thyme was part of the diet of Roman legionnaires and Scottish highlanders. Warriors always drank it before battle to raise their morale and gain support from higher powers.
- Medieval knights also believed in the plant’s ability to give courage and protect from harm. A pattern of twigs was embroidered on clothes.
- In Ireland, the belief that dew collected from the leaves of thyme at dawn after Walpurgis Night (May Day), if washed in the eyes with it, helps to see the “little people” (they are also fairies or fairies) to ask for the fulfillment of a wish, is still believed to this day. there are a lot of adherents for now.
- In medieval Europe, a sprig of thyme under the pillow was considered a guarantee of pleasant dreams and reliable protection against nightmares.
- According to one of the apocrypha, the newborn Jesus lay in a manger, at the bottom of which sprigs of thyme were thrown. In many countries in the south and southeast of Europe it is considered a symbol of fertility. Brides still wear thyme wreaths or include sprigs in their wedding bouquets.
There are also interesting scientifically proven facts about the plant:
- The more abundantly a plant blooms, the higher the concentration of substances beneficial to health. It also differs depending on the time of day - it is recommended to cut the plant in the afternoon, after lunch.
- In aromatherapy, thyme essential oil is used to help shy people with low self-esteem “open up” and gain self-confidence.
- Thyme is a very powerful natural antiseptic used to destroy pathogenic microflora and helminths. It is approximately 25 times stronger than medications with a similar effect.
Thyme essential oil is very beneficial for the bronchopulmonary system
Conclusion
Gardeners actively cultivate thyme or thyme wherever the climate allows. This “demand” is easily explained by its “versatility”: the leaves are widely used in cooking and folk medicine, and the plants themselves are used in landscape design.The most popular among gardeners are common, creeping and lemon thymes; breeders are actively developing new varieties and hybrids based on them.
