Large Scale Central

Varieties of Thyme.... Moss....

Many moons ago, someone took the time to post a list of the many varieties of “Thyme”

Thyme, of course is a herb, and comes in many many varieties, each can add to the vegetation on an outdoor model railroad. There are types that can suit just about any temperate zone, dry or moist. some can stand cold Winters, or hot desert Summers.

I have used a few of them up here in Ottawa Ontario, but I keep forgetting most of the varieties.

Could anyone, or everyone post their experiences with this herb on this thread, listing all the varieties you have experienced, and how successful you were, in working with them…please.

If anyone has been successful in starting moss to grow; some may appreciate that too, in spite of a thread somewhere that was asking how to kill it…!!

Fred Mills

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/types-of-thyme-plants.htm

There are basically two types of plants on my railroad - those that grow and those that die. I have moss growing in some spots, but trying to move the moss to another spot has never worked. I have no idea how it got started in the first place. I’ve bought lots of different “stepables” and they don’t survive. Other plants seem to thrive. Creeping Jenny should NOT be called creeping. It spreads fast.

Stitching Thyme , Wasting Thyme, Dinner Thyme

Pete Moss, Randy Moss, Kate Moss

Lemon Thyme is really the only one I have had good luck with. Creeping Thyme does well but halfway through summer it starts to die in spots. Elfin is my favorite but does not always come back and if it does, it’s late.

Sedums I have had good luck and found that they will grow in all sorts of conditions. Of course their are so many types I forget,what each is.

Thank you, Ken…

Fred

" Rooster " said:

Stitching Thyme , Wasting Thyme, Dinner Thyme

You forgot Justin. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

I probably have/had over a dozen varieties of thyme, including my own Rasta Jamacia hybrid (grows like dreadlocks and tolerates heat and direct sun well). Problem is, what works in Orange County CA probably wouldn’t thrive in BC so I’m hesitant to suggest a specific kind.

I have a short list here: http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105&Itemid=130

these are ones I have seen, and have smaller leaves and are more prostrate.

Greg

1 Like

Fred,

Here is the link to a great article about moss with photos. It tells you how to grow moss and dispels a lot of the myths concerning it.

http://www.mossandstonegardens.com/blog/how-to-grow-moss/

Bob

Greg Elmassian said:

I have a short list here: http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105&Itemid=130

these are ones I have seen, and have smaller leaves and are more prostrate.

Greg

So you are saying you have a short list with smaller leaves and a prostrate problem? I did read it twice before I posted which brought me to that conclusion.

Yep, I found this to be true as I aged… it’s a sad story!

Shawn Viggiano said:

Lemon Thyme is really the only one I have had good luck with. Creeping Thyme does well but halfway through summer it starts to die in spots. Elfin is my favorite but does not always come back and if it does, it’s late.

Sedums I have had good luck and found that they will grow in all sorts of conditions. Of course their are so many types I forget,what each is.

This post has been reported to the moderator by: Rooster

"Shawn brought Sedums into the conversation and I personally feel it was uncalled for as the post clearly states “Thyme and Moss”

I planted English Thyme and French Thyme. On died after 2 years, the other has developed woody stems and returns each year, looking more and more scraggly. Elfin thyme grew well on one side of the track, but refused to grow on the other side of the track. Scotch moss and Irish moss grows well around here for a year, or two, and then just dies off. Moss is a constant in my yard, but only grows where it wants to.

I planed another small plant, but I forget its name. Its taken over one bridge abutment, and flourishes in that location. But it refuses to be transplanted to other areas. So soil condition and micro climates play a role in what will work where, even in an area as small as my railroad.

I have started and experiment with replacing my front yard with " Turkish Speedwell ( Veronica Liwaeensis) ". After a bunch of research, it was recommended to me as a great alternative to common grass. It has to be “plugged” and each little plug is not cheap. After planting a test planting in Aug of '15, and watching it survive our winter, and start to spread out, we bit the bullet and ordered in 150 plugs, out of CO, and planted them in the spring of 16, by mid summer we were able to split a lot of them and fill in the areas that we didn’t have enough to cover the whole yard area. By winter, we had not lost a single one, were able to split some more. Today they are doing great. We cannot tell the difference in the old original plants and the new ones.

This variety needs very little watering, is drought tolerant, NEEDS NO MOWING!!!, will handle moderate foot traffic, grows to only 2-3 inches tall, and will spread to 18-20 inches across, but it will take root on its spreading shoots. So far it has taken to our climate very well. This summer we will be splitting more up and start to plant the other side of our lawn. Oh yah… Pretty little bright blue flowers, spring, fall.

http://www.highcountrygardens.com/perennial-plants/veronica/veronica-liwanensis

Dave

Could you post some pics of your plants.

Sean, which Dave?

David Maynard said: Sean, which Dave?

Mr Taylor … as Rooster would say : It’s not always about you Maynard!

PS. I was responding to Dave , not David

Sean, unlike Rooster, I don’t think its always about me. But I didn’t want to just assume, and end up ignoring you neither. So I asked.

(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)All is good!!

Now to plow that 12+ white stuff!

No time for the railroad today.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)