Lemon Thyme

Thyme is incredible stuff!  So is time, but thyme it one of my favorite seasonings for eggs and it is especially good fresh.  I have grown creaping thyme, lemon thyme, wooly thyme and regular common thyme.  My favorite by far is the lemon thyme.  That is also the one that has done the best in my garden.  It has stood up to people, dogs, cats and chickens; winters and summers; flood and drought.

Thyme has a long history.  It was thought to be a cure for “melancholy” by the Romans and it was a symbol of courage for the Greeks.  The ancient Egyptians used it for embalming.  It’s origin is probably Greece (and other Mediterannean areas?) since the name is from the Greek word thymos meaning “smoke” or “spirit.

There are about 350 species of thyme and a lot more hybrids and cultivars.  I has also been used medicinally as an antiseptic,  antibacterial and antifungal herb.  Thyme leaves hold their flavor very well when dried, but I still like it best fresh and, since it is an evergreen in Texas, I don’t have to settle for anything else.  The highly aromatic leaves and flowers are used in all kinds of food and teas.  Thyme has been used in ethnic cuisine all over the world.

The plant is a very drought tollerant plant for full sun.  It has tiny star shaped flowers (red, pink or white) through the summer.  Mine just finished a spring bloom and are gearing up for a more steady bloom over the summer.  There are upright versions, like this one, and there are creeping versions which are great between pavers.  They release a wonderful fragrance any time  some one steps on them.  I need to get more of the creeping varities to plant between the pavers in my new path!  If it gets enough sun there…

Oh… and the bees love it!