Choosing Creeping Thyme for a Flagstone Path in Zone 6 NJ

Best Creeping Thyme Varieties for Foot Traffic and Fragrance

A southern NJ (Zone 6) gardener wants low, pink‑flowered, fragrant creeping thyme for a flagstone path in near‑full sun.

Top Recommendations

• Thymus serpyllum (mother‑of‑thyme) – handles moderate foot traffic, pink/purple flowers, strong scent when crushed.
• High Country Gardens’ “How to Plant a Thyme Lawn”: highcountrygardens.com.
• Seed sources: Seedland.com sells thyme in lawn quantities.
• Montgomery County MD Extension lists many cultivars: Creeping Golden, Lime, Red, White, Silver, Caraway, Pink Ripple, Lemon Frost, Mountain Thyme.

Critical Success Factors

• Excellent drainage – amend with sand/gravel.
• Non‑compacted soil.
• Full sun (at least 6 hours).

Historical Charm

Thyme lawns at Sissinghurst (Vita Sackville‑West) scented clothing; thyme benches released oils when sat upon. A beautiful, functional tradition.