Evaluation of the possibility of using thyme (Thymus spp.) species in landscape

The possibility of using six thyme species (Thymus sepyllum, T. kotschyanus, T. vulgaris, T. daenensis, T. pubescence and T. fedtschenkoi) as a ground cover plant in landscape were evaluated in a two year period. Results showed that in aesthetics point of view during vegetative and reproductive stages, Thymus sepyllum, T. kotschyanus, and T. fedtschenkoi had the highest ranks, while T. pubescence and T. daenensis has got the lowest ranks. Because of early flowering under favorable weather conditions in spring T. kotschyanus had the longest flowering period in comparison to other late flowering species, i.e. T. sepyllum, and T. vulgaris. The highest area coverage, inflorescence number and flower number per inflorescence were also recorded in T. sepyllum and T. kotschyanus. In comparison to other species, T. sepyllum and T. vulgaris had the longest inflorescence, but flower size of these species was smaller than the others, whereas the largest inflorescence diameter and flower size were shown in T. daenensis and T. pubescence. In general, results showed that all studied species have valuable ornamental potential, but T. kotschyanus and T. sepyllum are the most suitable species as a ground cover plant in landscape