Why Bees Love Creeping Thyme in Gardens

Creeping thyme is a low-growing, spreading evergreen perennial that makes an excellent flowering groundcover. With its carpets of tiny leaves and profuse blooms, thyme provides year-round interest in the garden But it’s the nectar-rich flowers that attract pollinators, especially bees. So do bees like creeping thyme? The answer is a resounding yes!

What is Creeping Thyme?

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a popular garden plant in the mint family. It forms a dense mat only 2-4 inches tall but spreads steadily to cover ground. The tiny oval leaves are very aromatic when crushed. Creeping thyme blooms in spring or early summer with clusters of pink, purple or white flowers. There are also golden and variegated leaf varieties.

As a rugged, low-maintenance groundcover, creeping thyme can handle light foot traffic and doesn’t require mowing. Once established, it’s drought tolerant and helps suppress weeds. Creeping thyme grows well in full sun to partial shade and average to poor soil. Zones vary by variety from 3 to 9.

Why Bees Are Attracted to Creeping Thyme

There are several reasons creeping thyme is so attractive to bees:

Flowers – Bees seek out flowers for their nutritious nectar and pollen. Creeping thyme blooms heavily in spring with nectar-rich tubular flowers that bees easily access.

Bloom season – Thyme flowers early in spring when food sources are still limited for emerging bees. The abundant blooms provide an important early season source of nourishment.

Fragrance – Bees locate flowers by scent and color. The sweet, spicy fragrance of thyme flowers helps guide bees right to the nectar.

Abundance – A mature patch of blooming thyme contains thousands of flowers massed together, making it efficient for bees to visit.

Accessibility – The low height of creeping thyme makes it easy for bees to reach the blossoms at ground level.

Habitat – The dense foliage provides nesting areas, shelter, cooling shade, and overwintering spots for some bee species.

What Types of Bees Are Attracted to Thyme?

Creeping thyme appeals to a diverse range of bee pollinators. The most common bees found foraging in thyme include:

• Honeybees – Domesticated honeybees collect thyme nectar to make flavorful honey. The plants are very attractive to them.

• Bumblebees – Large fuzzy bumblebees regularly feed on thyme flowers. The low height suits them well.

• Solitary bees – Many kinds of native solitary bees like mason bees utilize thyme for food and nesting.

• Carpenter bees – These large bees are frequent thyme visitors to gather pollen and nectar.

• Mining bees – Low-flying mining bees easily access the blossoms and burrow nests beneath.

• Sweat bees – Tiny sweat bees flock to thyme and crawl right inside the flowers.

• Hover flies – Though not a bee, these important pollinating flies also frequent thyme.

In addition to bees, thyme also appeals to butterflies, honeybees, and other beneficial pollinating insects. Planting creeping thyme attracts a diversity of pollinators to the garden.

How to Plant Thyme for Bees

Here are some tips for planting creeping thyme that invites bees into the garden:

• Choose a spot with full sun exposure. Thyme needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and flowering.

• Select a cultivar suited for your zone. English and elfin thyme are very hardy options. Woolly thyme survives cold but not wet winters.

• Prepare a very well-drained soil. Thyme hates wet feet and won’t thrive in heavy, dense clay. Amend soil with compost.

• Buy young plants or start from seeds. Thyme can be slow growing from seed. For quicker results, plant nursery transplants.

• Space plants 12-18 inches apart. They will spread to fill in over time. You can also transplant plugs or cuttings.

• Plant high up in raised beds or hills for improved drainage. Elevated areas help prevent root rot.

• Surround thyme with other bee-friendly plants. Include flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees that provide season-long forage.

• Let some patches of thyme flower fully. Prune back other areas for harvesting leaves.

• Mulch around thyme lightly with gravel or pebbles. Avoid wood chip mulches which can hold excess moisture.

Caring for Thyme to Attract Bees

A few simple care practices will help keep thyme looking its best while providing an attractive bee habitat:

• Water thyme weekly during the first year to establish an extensive root system. Then water only occasionally during drought.

• Shear plants lightly after flowering finishes to encourage new growth. Avoid cutting back into old woody growth.

• Clear away dead leaves and debris in spring to allow new shoots to emerge.

• Apply a thin layer of gravel mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Divide large patches every 3-4 years to rejuvenate growth. Replant divisions or give extras away.

• Trim off spent flower stems to encourage additional blooming. Deadhead plants after the main flush of spring flowers.

• Watch for aphids, spider mites, scale, and mealybugs which can infest thyme. Control with insecticidal soap.

• Prevent root rot by providing good drainage and avoiding overwatering. Allow soil to dry between waterings.

With the right growing conditions and care, thyme will continue providing abundant, healthy foliage and flowers to nourish bees for many years.

When to Harvest Thyme for Cooking

In addition to providing bee habitat, creeping thyme is also a popular culinary herb. The tiny leaves add wonderful flavor to meats, vegetables, eggs, cheese, and more. Here are some thyme harvesting tips:

• Cut back thyme no more than one-third at a harvest to avoid harming plants. Pinch off top tips and individual stems.

• For the best flavor, harvest thyme just before flowers appear in early summer when essential oils peak.

• Cut thyme in mid-morning after dew has dried but before the heat of midday to retain aroma.

• Use sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts. Pulling off leaves can damage stems. Avoid harvesting flowering stems.

• Rinse cut sprigs gently and pat dry with towels. Allow a couple days of air drying before using.

• Strip leaves by running your fingers from tops downward along the stems. Discard woody stems before use.

• For long-term storage, dry leaves completely and freeze or store in sealed glass jars away from light.

Designing a Bee-Friendly Garden with 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, vergebena

Fall: asters, goldenrod, stonecrop, mums, 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 thyme as a flowering groundcover. Include plants with successive blooming periods to provide bee forage throughout the seasons. Aim for a dense, diverse bee garden that offers food and shelter in both sunny and shaded areas.

FAQs About Thyme and Bees

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the relationship between creeping thyme and bees:

What kind of thyme do bees like best?

Bees enjoy all types of blooming thyme varieties. English thyme, mother of thyme, elfin thyme, wooly thyme, lemon thyme, caraway thyme and silver thyme are excellent choices.

Should I plant thyme in full sun or part shade for bees?

Plant thyme in full sun for the heaviest flowering and bee activity. At least 6-8 hours of direct sun is ideal. A bit of afternoon shade is okay.

Can bees nest in creeping thyme?

Some solitary ground-nesting bees may burrow in the soil beneath mature thyme plants. The foliage provides shelter but not nesting cavities.

Does thyme attract butterflies too?

Yes, many common butterflies also frequent thyme flowers for nectar including swallowtails, sulfurs, hairstreaks, skippers and fritillaries.

What other herbs do bees like besides thyme?

Herbs that attract bees include lavender, rosemary, sage, basil, marjoram, oregano, catmint, lemon balm, chives, borage, and mint among others.

Should I plant thyme from nursery pots or seed?

For quicker results, plant nursery-grown thyme plants. If starting from seed, plant in flats indoors early for transplanting after last frost.

Creeping thyme deserves a spot in any bee-friendly garden. The beautiful blooms and enticing fragrance will bring bees buzzing in eagerly to enjoy the nectar feast.

How to Harvest and Dry Creeping Thyme

In addition to being an excellent bee plant, creeping thyme is a tasty culinary herb that’s easy to grow and harvest right from the garden. Here’s how to harvest and dry thyme leaves:

When to Harvest

• For the best flavor, harvest thyme just before flowers appear in spring when essential oil content peaks.

• Cut back thyme plants by no more than one-third at each harvest to avoid damaging growth.

• Make successive smaller harvests, cutting back tips and individual branches throughout the season.

How to Harvest

• Use clean, sharp bypass pruners or scissors for harvesting. Pulling leaves loose can damage stems.

• Cut whole stems near the base, rather than just stripping individual leaves which slows regrowth.

• Time harvest for mid-morning after dew has dried but before the heat of midday to retain aromatics.

• Avoid cutting any flowering stems. Pinch or cut just above a set of leaves or lateral buds further down.

How to Dry

• After harvest, gently rinse thyme sprigs and pat dry with a towel. Don’t soak cuttings or wash vigorously.

• Lay sprigs in a single layer on screens or trays out of direct sun. Provide good air circulation.

• Dry for 1-2 weeks until brittle and crumbly. Stir leaves occasionally to ensure even drying.

• When fully dehydrated, strip leaves off stems by rubbing between your fingers, going from top down. Discard woody stems.

• Store thoroughly dried leaves in clearly labeled airtight glass jars kept out of direct light.

• For longest viability, store thyme in the freezer. Properly dried thyme retains flavor up to a year.

Enjoy the fresh herbal flavor of homegrown creeping thyme! And know that your harvest helps provide food and habitat for bees as well. It’s a win-win proposition for gardeners and pollinators alike.

Pros and Cons of Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme offers many benefits along with a few potential drawbacks:

Pros

• Provides year-round visual interest with foliage and flowers
• Tolerates light foot traffic once established
• Handles poor, dry soils and requires little watering
• Low maintenance, no mowing or frequent care needed
• Suppress weeds due to dense growth habit
• Withstands mild drought conditions
• Adds delicious flavor for cooking uses
• Entices bees and other pollinators
• Features fragrant foliage and edible flowers
• Deer and rabbit resistant due to aromatic oils
• Adaptable to growing conditions when selected for zone

Cons

• Can be slow growing and take 1-3 years to establish
• Not tolerant of overly wet soils, requires good drainage
• Prone to root rot if overwatered
• Very invasive, can spread beyond intended planting area
• May crowd out other low plants over time
• Not a bold visual statement, somewhat subtle effect
• Limited cold hardiness, only hardy to zone 5 for some varieties
• Potential for foliar diseases like mildew and leaf spot
• Can be tricky to grow from seed, variable germination

Tips for Success: Choose an appropriate variety, plant in very well-drained soil, allow several years to establish, surround with other bee-friendly plants, pinch back spent blooms to encourage reblooming, and avoid overwatering.

Companion Plants for Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme pairs nicely with many other plants that appreciate the same growing conditions and help attract pollinators. Some great companion plants include:

• Ornamental grasses – Grasses contrast beautifully with thyme’s fine foliage. Try blue oat grass, red fescue, or tufted hair grass.

• Bulbs – Spring blooming bulbs like crocus, grape hyacinth, snowdrops and squill pollinate early before thyme flowers.

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