

A Mediterranean herb, thyme prefers hot, sunny days and well-drained soil. Best varieties range from French thyme (for cooks) to woolly thyme (groundcover).
The Mediterranean herb thyme has many uses. In days past, thyme served as a symbol of fortitude and an embalmer in death. Today we relish this herb in chicken salad or infused in a good vinegar. But beware, only a select few varieties belong in the kitchen. Others should remain underfoot as a ground cover.
Thymus vulgaris—French or common thyme—is the most popular of the culinary cultivars. Others, each with its own scent, include: T. citriodorus (the very fragrant lemon thyme), T. herba-barona (creeping caraway thyme), and T. pulegioides (oregano-scented thyme). Beware: The popular woolly thyme is not a culinary herb. If your garden is a windowsill, place a pot facing south and enjoy.