Thymus x citriodorus 'Lime'

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Thymus x citriodorus 'Lime'

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Kemper Code: A388

Common Name: lemon thyme
Zone: 5 to 8
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 foot
Bloom Time: July
Bloom Color: Pale pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils of somewhat low fertility. Loose, sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage are best. Dislikes moist to wet soils where it tends to rot. Cut back stems as necessary to maintain plant appearance or to control growth/spread or to limit unsightly woody stem growth. Plants are evergreen in mild winter climates. Harvest leaves for cooking throughout the growing season.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Thymus x citriodorus is a hybrid thyme (T. vulgaris x T. pulegioides) that is primarily grown as a culinary herb for its citrus-scented leaves. ‘Lime’ is a cultivar that features lime-scented leaves. It is an erect, bushy, woody-based perennial that typically grows 4-6” tall with upward branching stems. Tiny, narrowly ovate, dark green leaves. Leaves reach their aromatic peak just before flowering. Leaves may be used fresh or dried (much better fresh) as a seasoning in a variety of culinary applications including salads, soups, stews, sauces, and meat or fish dishes. Fresh sprigs may be used as a garnish. Whorls of tiny, tubular, pale pink flowers appear on the stem ends in summer. Flowers are attractive to bees.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problem. Susceptible to root rot, particularly in moist, poorly-drained soils.

Uses:

Herb gardens. Plants can also be effectively grown as ground covers in rock gardens or border fronts.