Protecting Pink Creeping Thyme Through Winter for Gorgeous Spring Blooms

With its carpets of pink blooms and fragrant evergreen foliage, pink creeping thyme adds year-round beauty to gardens. However, in areas with cold winters, this delicate-looking groundcover needs proper care to survive the dormant season and re-emerge even more glorious in spring.

Follow these tips to successfully overwinter pink creeping thyme

Getting to Know Pink Creeping Thyme

There are a few different varieties of pink flowering thyme. including

• Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’ – Deep rose-pink blooms in summer over dark green leaves.

• Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’ – Bright salmon-pink flowers in spring

• Thymus pseudolanuginosus – Soft pink blooms on wooly gray foliage.

No matter the variety, pink creeping thymes share some key traits:

• Evergreen in mild climates, semi-evergreen where winters are cold
• Height of 1-2 inches, spreading width of 18-30 inches
• Dense, woody stems and leathery leaves
• Strong aromatic scent when foliage is brushed or crushed
• Drought tolerant once established

Is Pink Creeping Thyme Winter Hardy?

Pink creeping thyme is rated for USDA Zones 4-10. This means it can withstand winter temps down to -30°F once established. However, its shallow evergreen foliage is vulnerable to desiccation and freeze/thaw cycles in very cold climates. Some tips and protection can help it safely make it through dormancy.

Winter Care Tips for Pink Creeping Thyme

Here are some best practices for overwintering pink creeping thyme:

Leave Foliage Intact

Resist the temptation to trim back pink creeping thyme in fall. The remaining foliage helps insulate plant crowns from temperature extremes. Prune only lightly to remove dead or damaged growth.

Add Winter Mulch

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of shredded bark, leaves, straw or other organic mulch over the thyme after the ground freezes. This prevents soil heave and protects roots from hard frosts.

Improve Snow Capture

Creeping thyme’s low stature sometimes prevents it from being covered by insulating snowfall. Place evergreen boughs or wire hoops draped with burlap over thymes to help capture drifting snow.

Avoid Heavy Traffic

Foot traffic over dormant pink creeping thyme can damage branches and compact soil. Fence off or redirect paths away from thymes until spring growth resumes.

Prevent Desiccation

Winter sun and winds quickly dry out evergreen foliage. On sunny days above 40°F, give plants a deep watering to replenish moisture lost from leaves.

Cover With Row Covers

Where winters get below -10°F, drape plants with row covers or permeable plastic sheeting for added insulation if thymes are exposed. Avoid overly sealing as air circulation is still needed.

When to Uncover and Prune

Remove winter mulch and coverings in early spring after the last hard frosts have passed but before new growth emerges. Then trim back any dead or freeze damaged branches. Stimulate compact growth by shearing lightly.

Enjoy Renewed Beauty

With proper overwintering care, pink creeping thyme rebounds vigorously in spring. Its abundant flowers smell heavenly and provide nectar for pollinators. The thyme’s dense evergreen carpet also prevents weed growth. Protecting thymes through winter is easy and well worth it for their renewed beauty each growing season!