I did extensive searches last year for wooly thyme seeds and couldn't find any. Plugs are available from Richter's but starting your own plugs would probably be a whole lot more economical for miles of paths.

I grew Magic Carpet thyme from seed (Vesey's) last year. The plants did well, spread quickly and stayed short. They survived winter just fine but my thoughts on how I would use them changed and without anywhere else to plant them, they got tossed.

I really, really like Wooly Thyme. I have a patch of it that gets stepped on quite regularly and it holds up without a problem. This year's lack of rain (and my lack of watering) had absolutely no effect on it, as a matter of fact it's now creeping/growing on the brick driveway. I think this is an excellent plant for paths - it doesn't bloom really heavy so bees aren't attracted to it which is something I was wondering about with blooming plants in a path.

There was a discussion some time ago on this forum (I searched, it's gone) about plants for paths, and Herniaria looked like a good alternative. (http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/05295.html)

Here's the Vesey's link for the Magic Carpet thyme.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vesey's Magic Carpet Thyme

I can also vouch for wooly thyme. I've got some growing in-between some flagstones and this year they have really spread out wonderfully, even without extra watering during this drought we've been in. And the smell, when stepped on, is amazing. I thought it would smell more like the culinary thyme and be more spicy, but it's a sweet scent, kind of like a flower. Mine haven't bloomed at all in the two years, which is fine by me. I also have mixed in there a pink and white flowering creeping thyme that holds up well to some traffic, but sorry, I don't know the cultivar names of them. There's also a creeping veronica that blooms white and stays at about 1" high that is doing well there too, but it doesn't have the scent like the thyme does.

As for obtaining seeds, sorry I can't help you there, as I picked up most of my thymes at an end of season sale and then divided them up.

Would the thymes work in shade?

Fern

Fern, I'm not sure how they would do in full shade. They may get leggy. If you're talking about partial shade, I would think they would do ok. They maybe wouldn't be as thick as they would be in full sun, but I think it would be worth a try.

For full shade, mosses may be a better ground cover, and they would give the same kind of look as the thymes.

IÂll vouch for Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) too, it's incredibly hardy and tough as nails for pathways. My two-year-old patch did bloom this year ;) Good luck finding seed on this species, however it can be easily divided in the spring and even small pieces will take root and grow to make more patches.

If grown in shade, IÂm sure it would rot, they love the hot full sun, lean and good drainage soil.

Sharon

Got to STEPABLES.COM.... It has a lot of info about different thymes ad others.... Lots of inspirational pictures also. Sounds wonderful.

Drats. I thought someone online would know of a seed source. Thank you all for the information. Pudge, I will check out the seeds for Magic Carpet Thyme. I did get 5 little Wooley Thyme plants to grow. However, I thought it would be much quicker getting all my paths covered if I could spread some seed about.

Well, I have the entire winter to search. ha ha. There has to be someone out there that has seed for sale. How are the greenhouses able to offer plugs of thyme? If I find anything I'll let all of you know.

Thanks!!!

check out Richters. they have a variety of thymes to offer and I believe they sell plug trays and seeds. I am having a memory of it saying in their catalogue (can't be sure though cause I chucked it :^( )that many thymes don't readily germinate from seed. that may be why you're having trouble finding a seed source. I tried the creeping thyme seeds from William Dam and had good luck with it, but it gets up to 6" by mid season so not sure if you'd want it for a pathway. Unless you want to mow it.

Toots

Here is a link that might be useful: Richters Herbs