A delightful and versatile evergreen herb, this award-winning variegated thyme brings both ornamental beauty, and a citrusy culinary harvest to the table. 'Silver Queen' is a highly robust, bushy, dwarf sub-shrub that forms a neat, dense, weed-suppressing mound. It features small, highly aromatic, dark green leaves elegantly edged in a striking creamy-white variegation, giving the entire plant a shimmering, silvery-grey appearance throughout the year. As Summer arrives, this silver-dusted foliage is beautifully crowned by a dense profusion of terminal clusters carrying tiny, pale mauve-pink flowers. These nectar-rich blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial garden pollinators, making it an essential addition to any wildlife-friendly space. The foliage itself is intensely lemon-scented, releasing a wonderful burst of fresh citrus fragrance whenever the leaves are brushed past or lightly crushed underfoot. Silver queen holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (AGM), and as a tough Mediterranean classic is incredibly low-maintenance and highly drought-tolerant once established. Its lemon-scented leaves can be harvested year-round to add a bright, zesty flavor to marinades, poultry, vegetables, and summer drinks. Trimming the plant back lightly immediately after its summer flowering keeps the habit tight, bushy, and full of fresh, vibrant new growth.
Site: Tolerates exposure including coastal exposure
Soil: Prefers poor to moderately fertile, very well-drained, sandy, gravelly, or chalky soil
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Year-round
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: 8-12in (20cm - 30cm) Spread: 12-18 in (30-45cm)
