Thymus serpyllum 'Red Carpet'

A subshrub of the Lamiaceae family, this cultivar of Thymus serpyllum is selected for its strictly prostrate and covering habit, forming a dense and tight carpet of only 5 to 10 cm in height, with a regular surface well spread over the ground. The foliage, small and dark green, is borne on fine stems whose dark red-brown colored internodes are clearly visible between the flower heads.

The flowers are a very bright rose-magenta to rose-carmine, leaning towards warm red-pink, one of the most saturated hues in the range of cultivars of this group. The distinctly dark purple calyces accentuate the contrast with the corollas and contribute to the depth of the ensemble. The flowering is abundant and homogeneous, covering the entire tuft very uniformly in June-July.

This cultivar is highly appreciated by pollinators, as evidenced by the repeated presence of bumblebees in the photos. In its natural habitat, the species' flowering extends from June to August. In cultivation, 'Red Carpet' generally blooms in June-July.

It requires well-drained soil, poor to moderately fertile, in full sun exposure. Its creeping and regular habit makes it a natural choice for paving, walls, and covering sunny rocky soils.