A Complete Guide to Growing and Caring for Thymus Pink Chintz Creeping Thyme

Thymus Pink Chintz is a beautiful variety of creeping thyme that makes an excellent ground cover plant With its carpets of fuzzy green leaves and abundant pink blooms, it adds year-round interest to gardens. This article provides a complete guide to growing and caring for Thymus Pink Chintz, covering topics like planting, watering, propagation, pests, uses, and more

Overview of Thymus Pink Chintz

Thymus Pink Chintz (Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’) is a hardy easy-to-grow creeping thyme cultivar. It forms a dense, fuzzy green mat of foliage that spreads along the ground. The leaves are tiny rounded, and emit a pleasant thyme aroma when crushed.

This variety blooms profusely in summer with masses of bright pink flowers held on short upright stems. The blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. After flowering, light shearing encourages a second bloom. It thrives in full sun and tolerates some foot traffic.

Pink Chintz thyme grows 2-4 inches tall but spreads steadily to reach 18 inches wide. It is cold hardy to zone 4 and can tolerate drier conditions. The fine hairs covering the foliage give it a soft, woolly texture. It adds beauty and fragrance to pathways, rock gardens, between stepping stones, in containers, and more.

How to Plant Thymus Pink Chintz

Pink Chintz creeping thyme is easy to grow from nursery starts, cuttings, division, or seed. For quicker results, opt for starts or cuttings.

Location: Choose a site with full sun and well-draining soil. Avoid perpetually wet areas.

Soil: Pink Chintz thyme tolerates average soil but thrives in sandy or gravelly locations. Improve dense soils by amending with compost.

Spacing: Set plants or divisions 12-18 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Planting Depth: Set starter plants or cuttings at the same depth they were growing in the pot or nursery tray. Cover seeds lightly with 1/4 inch of soil.

Watering: Water new plantings daily until established. Then water only when the top few inches of soil become dry. Avoid overwatering.

Mulch: Apply a 1-2 inch layer of mulch like gravel, chopped leaves or wood chips around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Leave space around the stems.

How to Care for Thymus Pink Chintz

Caring for Pink Chintz thyme is quite simple. The biggest requirements are full sun exposure and well-drained soil. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Avoid fertilizing, which can cause excess growth. Shear off spent flowers to encourage reblooming. Every 2-3 years, cut plants back to rejuvenate growth. Remove dead stems in spring. Avoid overhead watering which can promote foliar diseases like powdery mildew. Watch for aphids, spider mites, root rot, and other common thyme pests. Use organic insecticidal soap or neem oil if pests become problematic. In zone 5 or colder, apply winter mulch after the ground freezes to prevent frost heave. Otherwise, Pink Chintz thyme is quite low maintenance once established. It thrives with a “plant it and forget it” approach.

How to Propagate Thymus Pink Chintz

Propagating Pink Chintz thyme helps multiply your plantings for free. This thyme propagates easily from stem cuttings, division, and seed.

Stem Cuttings: In spring, clip 3-4 inch stem tips just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves and plant in potting mix. Keep humid until rooted. Harden off and transplant outside after frost danger passes.

Division: Carefully dig up mature plants in early spring and gently divide into smaller sections. Replant 12-18 inches apart. Keep watered until established.

Seed: Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost. Barely cover with soil and keep evenly moist. Move outside after hardening off the seedlings. Thymes can also be direct sown in the garden in spring.

Tips for Growing Thymus Pink Chintz

Here are some useful tips for getting the most out of Pink Chintz in your garden:

• Allow 12-18 inches between plants for good air circulation and spreading room.

• Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot in thymes.

• Cut back any leggy stems in spring to encourage full, compact growth.

• Shear off spent blooms after flowering to stimulate reblooming.

• Every 2-3 years, cut back severely to rejuvenate the plants.

• Mulch around plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

• Plant in areas where it can drape gracefully over walls, rocks, or containers.

• Combine with sedums, ornamental grasses, lavender, and other sun-loving perennials.

How to Use Thymus Pink Chintz in the Landscape

Thanks to its compact size, vibrant flowers, fragrance, and versatility, Pink Chintz thyme has many uses in gardens and landscapes:

• Rock Gardens – Tumbles gracefully over rocks and walls. Softens harsh lines.

• Between Pavers – Planted in walkways and patios. Handles light foot traffic.

• Edging – Trails nicely along garden edges and borders.

• Containers – Cascades from mixed planters and window boxes.

• Groundcover – Covers bare patches and prevents soil erosion on slopes.

• Herb Gardens – Has subtle culinary thyme flavor but the leaves are tiny.

• Pollinator Gardens – Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Tips for Winter Care

In zones 5 and colder, Pink Chintz thyme benefits from winter protection:

• Apply 2-3 inches of mulch like evergreen boughs or chopped leaves after the ground has frozen solid for the winter.

• Avoid mulching too early in fall, as this can encourage root rot if soils are still warm.

• Remove mulch in spring once danger of hard frosts has passed.

• Cut plants back to remove any dead stems or winter damage.

• Water if needed until new spring growth appears.

With proper winter care, Pink Chintz thyme will return vigorously each spring.

Common Problems With Thymus Pink Chintz

Thymus Pink Chintz is relatively trouble-free, but may encounter these potential problems:

• Powdery Mildew – Discourage by improving air circulation. Avoid overhead watering.

• Root Rot – Caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Allow soil to dry between waterings.

• Leggy Growth – Prune regularly to encourage compact growth. Apply mulch to keep roots cool.

• Pests – Aphids, spider mites, thrips. Control with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays.

• Winter Damage – Mulch after first hard frost. Remove dead growth in spring.

• Slow Spreading – Clip off tip cuttings and replant to expand your planting.

With proper siting and care, serious issues with Pink Chintz thyme are rare.

FAQs About Growing Thymus Pink Chintz

Get answers to commonly asked questions about this pretty pink creeping thyme:

What is the ideal soil type for Pink Chintz?
It thrives in average to poor, dry, well-draining soil. Avoid perpetually wet clay soils.

Should it be pruned regularly?
Shearing off spent blooms encourages reblooming. Cutting back hard every 2-3 years rejuvenates the plants.

How much sun does Pink Chintz need?
It requires at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is ideal. It tolerates some afternoon shade.

Is Pink Chintz deer resistant?
Yes, deer and rabbits generally do not bother creeping thymes.

Should it be fertilized?
Fertilizing is not necessary. It can actually cause leggy, weak growth in thymes.

What USDA zones will it grow in?
Thymus Pink Chintz is winter hardy in zones 4 through 9. It may struggle in hot, humid southern climates.

How fast does Pink Chintz spread?
It spreads at a moderate pace, reaching 18 inches wide in ideal conditions. Growth rate depends on care and climate.

Final Thoughts

With its carpet of green leaves and pretty pink blooms, Thymus Pink Chintz is a stellar choice for any sunny garden. This easy-care creeping thyme thrives with minimal maintenance. Once planted, it spreads steadily to form an attractive, aromatic ground cover. Add its year-round good looks and versatility, and it’s easy to see why gardeners love Pink Chintz thyme!