Thymus citriodorus 'Doone Valley' | Variegated Creeping Thyme | Fragrant Evergreen Groundcover | Live Herb Plant

Bring year-round color, fragrance, and pollinator appeal to your garden with Thymus citriodorus 'Doone Valley', a beautiful variegated creeping thyme prized for its aromatic foliage and dense, spreading habit. This low-growing evergreen perennial features bright green leaves splashed with golden yellow that develop attractive reddish-bronze tones during cooler weather, creating four-season interest.

In summer, clusters of delicate purple-pink flowers blanket the foliage, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. Perfect for rock gardens, pathways, herb gardens, borders, containers, and between stepping stones, Doone Valley Thyme is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and exceptionally easy to grow. The lemon-scented foliage also makes it a wonderful ornamental herb for edible landscapes.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Thymus citriodorus 'Doone Valley'
• Common Name: Doone Valley Creeping Thyme
• Life Cycle: Evergreen Perennial Herb
• Foliage Color: Green with Golden Variegation, Bronze Tones in Winter
• Flower Color: Purple-Pink
• Bloom Season: Summer
• Mature Height: 2–4 inches
• Spread: 12–18 inches
• Growth Habit: Low, Mat-Forming, Spreading
• Light Requirements: Full Sun
• Water Needs: Low to Moderate
• Hardiness Zones: 5–9
• Characteristics: Evergreen, Fragrant, Pollinator Friendly, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance

Perfect For

• Rock gardens
• Herb gardens
• Fairy gardens
• Groundcover plantings
• Between stepping stones
• Walkways and borders
• Xeriscaping
• Container gardens
• Pollinator gardens
• Cottage gardens

Planting Partners

Pairs beautifully with:

• Creeping Sedum
• Sempervivum (Hens & Chicks)
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Creeping Phlox
• Dianthus
• Echinacea
• Salvia
• Catmint
• Ornamental grasses

Care Tips

Plant in full sun with well-drained sandy or rocky soil. Water regularly until established, then only during extended dry periods. Avoid wet soils to prevent root rot. Lightly shear after flowering to encourage dense growth and maintain its tidy appearance. Its colorful foliage becomes even more vibrant during cooler temperatures.