Thyme Silver Queen

Description

Thymus ‘Silver Queen’ – variegated lemon thyme

Botanical name: Thymus x citriodorus ‘Silver Queen’
Common names: Silver lemon thyme
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Plant type: Evergreen aromatic sub-shrub
Habit: Low, bushy, upright
Pot size: 9cm pot
Eventual size: Approx. 10–20cm tall × 30cm spread
Foliage: Tiny aromatic green leaves edged with silver-cream, on a low bushy plant; evergreen
Flowers: Small pale pink flowers in summer (June–August)
Scent: Lemon-scented aromatic foliage
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Sharply drained; poor to average; tolerates lime; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Open, hot, dry, sunny
Native range: Garden form; thymes are native to Europe and the Mediterranean
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Thymus ‘Silver Queen’ is a silver-variegated lemon thyme with cream-edged aromatic leaves and a fresh lemon scent, topped by pale pink flowers. Bright, bee-friendly and drought-tolerant for edging and containers.

GardenAdvice notes

A low, aromatic evergreen sub-shrub, thyme is one of the toughest and most useful of all herbs, forming neat aromatic growth smothered in summer with flowers that bees find irresistible. It thrives on hot, dry, poor, sharply drained soils and is wonderfully drought-tolerant.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in sharply drained, poor to average soil in full sun — thyme needs sun and excellent drainage and dislikes rich, wet, heavy ground. It tolerates lime and drought. Improve heavy soil with plenty of grit. Space about 30cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Trim over lightly after flowering to keep it neat and to stop it going woody, but avoid cutting hard back into the old, bare wood. Water only while establishing; thereafter it is very drought-tolerant. Keep it on the dry side, especially over winter, to avoid rot.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
• Division: Divide or detach rooted pieces in spring.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a sunny, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is wet, heavy soil, which causes rot, and old plants go woody in the middle. Otherwise little troubled by pests.

Uses in the garden

Superb for edging, the front of sunny borders, gravel, herb gardens and containers, where its aromatic foliage and bee-friendly flowers earn their place.

Wildlife value

Thyme is one of the very best plants of all for pollinators: its summer flowers are absolutely alive with bees and other beneficial insects.

Toxicity & safety

This herb is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Silver Queen’ combines a fresh lemon scent, bright silver-cream variegated foliage and bee-friendly flowers, making one of the prettiest thymes for edging or a container. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, keep it on the dry side over winter, and trim after flowering to keep the variegated growth neat and dense.

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