If you are thinking about planting plants in your garden so that you can not only admire but contribute to the conservation of bees and other pollinators, don’t forget about creeping thyme. Not only is this plant beautiful, but it’s well known for its ability to attract bees, who enjoy collecting pollen and nectar from thyme. And if you want to know right away does creeping thyme attract bees? The answer is of course yes.
Thýmus serpýllum from Greek Θύμος ἕρπυλλος is a species of perennial semi-shrub in the genus Thymus.
There are several versions of the origin of the name. According to one of them, the word “thyme” from the Greek “thymos” – which means strength, courage. In another, “thymos” is translated as “breath of life, spirit”. According to a third, it comes from the word “thymiama”, an incense that was used in the temples.
Useful properties of thyme became known as early as 3 thousand years BC, it was valued, and spreading, everywhere received new names. Thyme was used as a spicy and medicinal plant and was widely used in various cults. The ancient Sumerians used thyme as an antiseptic. Ancient Egyptians dedicated thyme to Serapis, the god of dead souls, and the herb was included in mummifying means.
In ancient Rome, thyme was dedicated to the god Saturn. Homer wrote about a drink made from a mixture of wine, honey, flour and thyme – kikeon. It was the favorite drink of Attic farmers – a charge of strength and vigor for a long time. Greek philosophers and scientists Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny the Elder, and Avicenna mentioned the medicinal properties of thyme.
Do Bees Like Creeping Thyme?
Creeping thyme is a must-have plant in your garden if you want to attract and support bees and other beneficial pollinators. This hardy, low-growing perennial is not only beautiful, but it’s renowned for its ability to draw bees seeking nutritious pollen and nectar. So do bees like creeping thyme? The answer is a resounding yes!
What Is Creeping Thyme?Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a popular groundcover plant in the mint family It forms a short, dense mat just 2-4 inches tall but steadily spreads to cover ground The tiny oval leaves release a pleasant aroma when crushed. Creeping thyme blooms in spring or early summer bearing clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers. There are also golden or variegated leaf varieties.
As a rugged, low-maintenance groundcover, creeping thyme can tolerate moderate foot traffic once established and doesn’t require mowing. It’s drought tolerant when mature and helps choke out weeds. Creeping thyme thrives in full sun to light shade and average to poor soil. Hardiness ranges by variety from zones 3-9.
Why Bees Love Creeping Thyme
There are several key reasons creeping thyme is so remarkably attractive to bees:
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Flowers – Bees forage on flowers seeking energy-rich nectar and protein-packed pollen Creeping thyme flowers prolifically in spring providing bees with nourishment
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Bloom Time – Creeping thyme blossoms early in spring when food is still scarce for emerging bees from winter. The abundant flowers offer an important early food source.
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Fragrance – Bees have an excellent sense of smell and are drawn to the sweet spicy scent of thyme blossoms, guiding them right to the nectar.
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Abundance – A mature patch of blooming thyme contains thousands of densely packed flowers, making foraging efficient for bees.
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Accessibility – The short height of creeping thyme makes it easy for bees to reach the blossoms close to the ground.
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Habitat – The foliage provides nesting spots, shelter, cooling shade, and overwintering sites for some bee species.
Types of Bees Attracted to Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme entices a wide array of bee pollinators to the garden. Some of the most common bees seen visiting thyme include:
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Honeybees – Domesticated honeybees gather thyme nectar to produce flavorful honey and are highly attracted to the plants.
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Bumblebees – Large, fuzzy bumblebees regularly feed on thyme flowers. The low growth habit suits them perfectly.
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Solitary Bees – Many native solitary bee species like mason bees utilize thyme for food and nesting habitat.
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Carpenter Bees – These sizable bees frequent thyme flowers to collect pollen and nectar.
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Mining Bees – Low-flying mining bees easily access the blossoms and burrow nests beneath thyme foliage.
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Sweat Bees – Tiny sweat bees flock to creeping thyme and crawl inside the tubular flowers.
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Hover Flies – While not a bee, these essential pollinating flies also commonly visit thyme.
In addition to bees, creeping thyme draws in butterflies, beneficial insects, and other pollinators. Planting it significantly diversifies the garden’s pollinator population.
Planting Thyme for Bees
Here are some tips for planting creeping thyme to attract bees to your garden:
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Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering.
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Select a cold-hardy cultivar suitable for your zone like elfin or English thyme. Woolly thyme survives cold winters but not wet ones.
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Prepare very well-drained soil, as thyme hates soggy conditions. Amend dense clay soils with compost.
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Purchase young nursery plants for quicker results or start from seed. Thyme can be slow growing from seed.
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Space plants 12-18 inches apart. They will spread out over time. You can also transplant plugs or cuttings.
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Plant in raised beds or slopes for improved drainage. Elevated areas prevent root rot.
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Surround thyme with other bee-loving flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees to extend seasonal forage.
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Allow some patches to flower fully while pruning back others for harvesting leaves.
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Mulch lightly around thyme with gravel or pebbles. Avoid wood chip mulch that retains excess moisture.
Caring for Thyme to Entice Bees
Simple care practices will keep thyme looking its best while creating an inviting bee habitat:
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Water first year plants weekly to establish deep roots. Afterward, water occasionally during drought.
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Shear plants lightly after blooming finishes to encourage new growth. Avoid cutting into old woody stems.
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Clear away dead leaves and debris in spring so new shoots can emerge.
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Apply a thin gravel mulch layer to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Divide large patches every 3-4 years to rejuvenate. Replant divisions or give away extras.
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Deadhead spent blooms to promote continued flowering. Remove faded flowers after spring bloom.
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Watch for pests like aphids, mites, scale, and mealybugs. Control with insecticidal soap sprays.
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Prevent fungal root rot by providing good drainage and avoiding overwatering. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
With proper growing conditions and care, thyme will continue supplying abundant foliage and flowers to nourish bees for many years.
Harvesting Thyme for Culinary Use
In addition to supporting bees, creeping thyme is a deliciously savory culinary herb. The tiny leaves add wonderful flavor to meats, vegetables, eggs, cheese and more. Here are some tips for harvesting thyme from the garden:
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Cut back thyme by no more than one-third with each harvest to avoid damaging the plants.
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For best flavor, harvest just before flowers emerge in early summer when essential oils peak.
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Cut in mid-morning after dew dries but before midday heat to preserve aromatics.
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Use clean, sharp bypass pruners for tidy cuts. Pulling leaves can harm stems. Don’t harvest flowering stems.
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Gently rinse cut sprigs and pat dry with towels. Allow a day or two of air drying before use.
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Strip leaves by sliding fingers from top down along stems. Discard woody stems before use.
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For storage, completely dry leaves then freeze or keep in sealed glass jars out of direct light.
Designing a Bee-Friendly Garden With Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme partners beautifully with other bee-loving plants in pollinator gardens. Consider combining it with some of these bee favorites:
Spring: Crocuses, hyacinths, catmint, bee balm, lamb’s ear, hellebores, lungwort, asters, anemones
Summer: Russian sage, lavender, monarda, gaillardia, coreopsis, sedum, verbena
Fall: Asters, goldenrod, stonecrop, chrysanthemums, ornamental grasses
Shrubs: Bluebeard, buttonbush, clethra, fothergilla, spirea, vitex
Trees: Redbud, basswood, willow, maple, black locust, tulip poplar
Group low-growing thyme around the base of taller plants. Underplant shrubs and trees with creeping thyme as a flowering groundcover. Include diverse plants with sequential bloom periods to supply bee nourishment throughout the seasons. Strive for a dense, diverse bee garden with food and shelter in both sunny and shaded areas.
FAQs About Thyme and Bees
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the special relationship between creeping thyme and bees:
What kind of thyme do bees like best?
Bees enjoy all blooming thyme varieties including English, mother of thyme, elfin, wooly, lemon, caraway, and silver thyme.
Should I plant thyme in full sun or partial shade for bees?
Plant thyme in full sun for heaviest flowering and bee activity. At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. A little afternoon shade is fine.
Can bees nest in creeping thyme?
Some ground-nesting solitary bees may burrow in the soil under mature thyme, but the foliage doesn’t provide actual nesting cavities.
Does thyme also attract butterflies?
Yes, many common butterflies visit thyme flowers for nectar including swallowtails, sulfurs, hairstreaks, skippers, and fritillaries.
What other herbs do bees like besides thyme?
Bees are also attracted to lavender, rosemary, sage, basil, marjoram, oregano, catmint, lemon balm, chives, borage, and mint among others.
Should I plant nursery thyme or use thyme seeds?
For quicker results, plant nursery-grown thyme plants. For seeds, start indoors early and transplant after last frost.
Creeping thyme clearly deserves a coveted place in every bee-friendly garden. The beautiful blossoms and sweet fragrance will entice bees to busily gather nectar and nourish the next generation.
Thyme as a honey plant
Thyme is native to the Mediterranean region. Therefore, thyme as a honey plant is common in the northwestern part of the Mediterranean coast, on the islands, in Spain, as well as in the south of France.
Thyme is cultivated in Moldova, in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula – Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Greece.
It is in these regions that beekeepers can get real monofloral thyme honey, which has been known since antiquity. It is especially worth mentioning that 15% of all honey in Greece is thyme honey.
Depending on the region, thyme blooms from May to July. For example, in Poland, thyme blooms from June 10 to July 25. In Greece, thyme blooms from June to July, during which time there is a lot of rain, which ensures a good honey harvest from thyme.
Honey bee on creeping thyme
FAQ
What is the downside of creeping thyme?
Creeping thyme is relatively disease-resistant, but root rot can be a common issue. “Root rot can occur when overwatered or planted in poorly drained areas,” says Abdi.
How quickly does creeping thyme spread?
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Initial Planting Density:Closer planting will lead to faster filling in.
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Establishment Time:Creeping thyme takes time to root and establish, with growth being slow in the first year.
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Environmental Conditions:Factors like soil, sun exposure, and irrigation can influence how quickly plants spread.
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Variety:Some creeping thyme varieties, like Red Creeping Thyme, are known to spread faster.
Does creeping thyme attract insects?
It attracts bees and butterflies and is deer and rabbit resistant. It may be used as a container plant, groundcover, or as a border for patios or sidewalks. The spreading form sprawls easily over rocks, ledges, or can cover a dry bank.
Does creeping thyme attract wasps?