Creeping thyme

* Common name: Creeping thyme

* Botanical name: Thymus serpyllum

* What it is: A low, spreading herb that’s edible but also very useful in multiple ornamental settings. Plants creep in an evergreen to semi-evergreen mat and flower pink, lavender or white from late spring into summer. Leaves are tiny and come in different colors, including green, variegated green and white, lemon and silvery-gray.

* Size: 3 to 4 inches tall with a spread of 2 feet or more.

* Where to use: The herb garden is an obvious choice, but creeping thyme is one of the most versatile plants. Uses include growing between stepping stones, massed in a rock garden, trailing out of pots and hanging baskets, as a groundcover along driveways and sidewalks, and even as a lawn substitute. Thyme will tolerate light foot traffic. Performs best in full sun but will grow in mostly shaded spots, too. Just avoid soggy areas.

* Care: Keep watered the first year, then thyme is exceptionally drought-tough. It’s also tolerant of poor soil, so little to no fertilizer is needed. The only care is trimming back or shoveling out sections creeping beyond where you want. End of winter is the best time to prune. Can be harvested any time during the growing season for cooking. Sections can be dug and divided in early spring to expand the flock or fill in bare spots.

* Great partner: Rosemary, sage and lavender are three taller, bushier, good-looking herbal partners. Thyme makes a good groundcover under any limbed-up tree and looks good under shrub roses, especially pink-blooming ones.