Below are some of the invasive exotic species found in southern Ontario, according to observations from UFORA and our colleagues.
Invasive Species.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Effect on Natural Area |
|---|---|---|
| Creeping thyme | Thymus praecox | invades meadows |
| Cypress spurge | Euphorbia cyparissias | invades meadows |
Does creeping thyme become invasive?
So, let’s cut the chase — is creeping thyme really invasive? The answer is no; though it will spread fast in a garden, it won’t bother the other plants. Therefore, if you are looking for an attractive ground cover that smells nice and is also deer and rabbit resistant, you should definitely consider creeping thyme!
Is creeping charlie an invasive species in Ontario?
Creeping Charlie is invasive, and can prevent you from growing additional flowers in your lawn. Instead, if you are looking to promote pollinator health in your lawn or garden, we recommend planting a diversity of flowers that produce high quality nectar and pollen consistently.
Is thyme an invasive plant?
Thyme can be easily propagated by getting healthy and mature stems, cuttings or divisions from a mature, healthy and well established plant. Read more. Choosing the right spot for planting our thymes is important, as it is a highly invasive plant that can extend to unwanted parts of our property.
Is purple creeping thyme invasive?
Most people consider the creeping thyme to be a weed, but it really isn’t. In fact, this plant is actually good for your garden as it chokes out the weeds.
What is the cons of creeping thyme?
Cons
- It requires full sun. Even in partial shade, it won’t be as dense nor as resistant to weed infestations.
- It needs perfect drainage.
- It’s more complicated to install than a turf lawn.
- It costs more to install than a turf lawn.
- It will take time (often 2–3 years) before a thyme lawn completely fills in.
Will creeping thyme choke out my other plants?
Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme spreads by sending runners underground that choke out other plants, including weeds. It has a maximum growth height of about four inches, which is considered the ideal height for lawns, and beautiful pink, purple or blue flowers.
What is the most invasive ground cover?
Invasive Ground Cover Plants
- Bishop’s Weed (Aegopodium podagraria) – A Leafy Invasive Ground Cover.
- Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
- Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)
- Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri) – A Night-Blooming Invasive Ground Cover.
- Artichoke Thistle (Cynara cardunculus)
- German Ivy (Delairea odorata)
Should I remove creeping Charlie?
If you’ve spotted creeping charlie early, repeated hand-weeding is an option, but you must remove and destroy every bit of the roots. Don’t add this plant to the compost bin because it could very well take root there. It’s better to bag it for a yard waste pick up.
How do I get rid of creeping Charlie in Ontario?
Creeping Charlie is a resilient weed that will grow back. Moisten the soil to make it easier to pull the weeds. Using a pitchfork or rooting tool, loosen the soil around the stems. Then dig each one out with a weed-pulling tool designed for the job.
Is creeping thyme good for the environment?
The dense, creeping nature of this species makes it an excellent ground cover and living mulch. As such, T. praecox helps to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and prevent erosion.
Can I plant creeping thyme in my lawn?
One of the best reasons to have a creeping thyme lawn is that it’s not only drought-resistant but it generally requires a lot less watering than traditional grass lawns. In fact, creeping thyme dislikes wet conditions and has a preference for dry or moist soil instead.
Does creeping thyme attract mosquitoes?
Thyme, including red creeping thyme (shown), possesses excellent mosquito-repelling properties. The secret is to crush the leaves to release the volatile oils. You can simply place crushed stems around outdoor seating areas or rub the leaves on skin or clothing.
How do you stop creeping thyme from spreading?
Dig up the creeping thyme plant using a shovel, hoe and mattock to break up the soil. Use a rototiller in large patches; cultivate to a shallow depth just deep enough to pull up the thyme plants.
Does creeping thyme attract a lot of bees?
Because it attracts bees so well, this also brings bees to the other plants in your garden. This will result in extra pollination and a happy and healthy flowerbed throughout the growing seasons. While it does attract bees, creeping thyme does not attract rabbits and deer.
Should I plant creeping thyme?
Planting instructions
Creeping thyme does best in an area that gets about four hours of sun a day. Planting should be done in late spring or early summer, after the fear of frost has passed. This will allow the roots to establish themselves through the growing season.
Is creeping thyme toxic to dogs?
“The creeping thyme does well as a dog-friendly ground cover. Irish Moss, Labrador Violet, Miniature Stonecrop (although invasive, so be careful where you plant it) as well as snow in summer are rather dog-abuse-tolerant and are non-toxic.”
Do you have to mow creeping thyme?
Creeping thyme grows low to the ground, so you don’t have to mow it. (Most varieties don’t reach over 4”.) Although, if you prefer, you can mow once any flowers have died off. Most creeping thyme varieties flower, making it a pollinator-friendly turf replacement.
Do rodents like creeping thyme?
Deer- and rodent-resistant, Creeping Thyme is drought-tolerant once established and really tough. It can handle being walked on, mowed or ignored, and even then it may self-sow and creep some more. Hardy evergreen perennial.
What is the least invasive ground cover?
Non-Invasive, Native Evergreen Groundcovers
- Allegheny Spurge. Bottlebrush spikes of white flowers appear just before new spring leaves unfurl. (
- Fetterbush.
- Canby’s Mountain Lover.
- Creeping Phlox.
- Moss Phlox.
- Other Native Evergreen Groundcovers.
Does creeping thyme attract animals?
Creeping thyme has a spicy fragrance making it an excellent choice for s sensory garden and may be used as a lawn substitute or to fill in between pavers.. Although it is a member of the thyme family, it is rarely used as a culinary herb. It attracts bees and butterflies and is deer and rabbit resistant.