Chamomile and Thyme

[angie]

Can anyone give me any advice on growing Chamomile or Thyme instead of grass. I have a friend that lives in Perth Scotland and he is building a Japanese garden around his pond and has asked me for advice. I couldn't help so hope someone can give me some advice that I can pass on.
Thanks Angie 

[Matt T]

A few thoughts Angie:
Use the lower growing varieties, ie Chamomile 'Treneague' (non-flowering) and creeping thymes rather than shrubby ones.
Mixing lots of varieties can give a pleasing tapestry effect.
Make sure the soil is well-drained.
Make sure it's a sunny spot.
Don't be afraid to plant closely, say 6" apart.
Keep the lawn' well weeded.
Once established, occasional treading/rolling and light clipping after flowering will keep it tight knit.

[angie]

Thanks Matt. I will pass this information on. He isn't a gardener and I really didn't have any idea of how to grow these plants so couldn't give him any advice. He wants a Japanese look and he has bought the most beautiful Japanese tea house. Once its done I will post a picture.
Thank you for the reply.

Angie 

[Matt T]

For a Japanese effect he might be better just using the chamomile then. I don't think thymes with their chintzy flower colours will give the Zen effect he might be looking for. The divided leaves of the chamomile will give a mossy effect, echoing the moss gardens commonly seen in the East.

[Maggi Young]

What is the Minuartia sometimes used in  such plantings? 

[Matt T]

The hummocky one is M. stellata. I think all the others are a bit more 'rangey'.

[ichristie]

Hello Angie, I planted a chamomile lawn for Ann around 5 years ago now well established ( I do not like cutting grass) anyway should your friend in Perth wish to come and get some cuttings which are easy then please give them out contact details, cheers Ian the Christie kind

[angie]

Thanks Iain, that good that you had success with it. I was a bit doubtful that it would grow with us up here. I suppose Perth will we warmer than Aberdeen.

I must be sad I LOVE CUTTING GRASS 

Angie 

[angie]

Thanks again Matt.

Angie 

[Maggi Young]

My in-laws had what they called a chamomile lawn - very nice it was too- but it was Cotula squalida  not chamomile. Very attractive feathery foliage and needed very little cutting.

[Graeme]

Thanks Matt. I will pass this information on. He isn't a gardener and I really didn't have any idea of how to grow these plants so couldn't give him any advice. He wants a Japanese look and he has bought the most beautiful Japanese tea house. Once its done I will post a picture.
Thank you for the reply.

Angie 

Angie - what got me into alpines was accent plants for my bonsai - I used to have a very nice Japanese garden when I lived on my own - I sold all my trees some years ago when I got married - you mention round a pond however chamomile seems to like sandy well drained soils and full sun - if they are going for chamomile you need to look for Chamomile 'Treneague' as Matt pointed out, and there used to be a company who provided it as micro prop'd plants from genuine 'Treneague'.

I know you mentioned it is in Perth - but is it in the city or outside - what I am trying to get at is they could always try 'mind your own business' Soleirolia soleirolii (Helxine soleirolii) it makes a wonderful carpet but is not hardy

Personally I would start to have look round the bonsai nurseries in Scotland as there some wonderful moss's I used to spend a lot of time cultivating on top of the tree roots -
there is a bright green one we used to call it scottish moss - because every tree we had from scotland had it on - its quite a bright green and has like tiny stringy appearance - my favourite however is the one which has little frond like things, it features in this video but I have no idea what it is called the frond things changed colour in autumn and it was very desirable
I think it may be one of these listed here http://mountainmoss.com/products-page/moss-trays/sun-mosses-deluxe-sampler-tray/
The moss is more 'authentic' in a japanese garden - but a bit more of  challenge (you can also sculpt mounds to put it on as well - but always have an odd number, over 2)

[angie]

Graeme, thanks for the links. He lives outside of Perth and I remember his garden as being shaded. I have passed your information onto him. He isn't a gardener but koi and Japanese gardens go. Once he has developed this area I will post some pictures.

I have killed most of my mums bonsai, just a couple left. I told my mum I would probably kill them and I have.

I wish I could kill moss, because I have a conifer forrest 10ft from the back of my house I am over run with moss, I don't mind it on the stone walls but it creeps all over the soil, maybe I need to get into Japanese gardening and use it to my advantage.

Angie 

[Graeme]

Graeme, thanks for the links. He lives outside of Perth and I remember his garden as being shaded. I have passed your information onto him. He isn't a gardener but koi and Japanese gardens go. Once he has developed this area I will post some pictures.

I have killed most of my mums bonsai, just a couple left. I told my mum I would probably kill them and I have.

I wish I could kill moss, because I have a conifer forrest 10ft from the back of my house I am over run with moss, I don't mind it on the stone walls but it creeps all over the soil, maybe I need to get into Japanese gardening and use it to my advantage.

Angie 

I would love to see some photos when he is done - at least he will have some decent granite chippings to rake - he really needs a good area of gravel with a choice rock in the middle - nothing better first thing in a morning than raking a pattern into the gravel

Sorry to hear about the bonsai - some can be difficult to live with - I sold all mine when I got married 20 years ago as they took way too much time to maintain

Conditions you have must be ideal for moss - but a pain if you don't want it - perhaps your friend could come and take it all way and use it in his garden? - a win win - my mothers family were from near Keith in Banffshire so I was used to seeing all the forestry commission plantings up there of conifers - in a few places they even stuck in japanese larch   

[angie]

I would love to see some photos when he is done - at least he will have some decent granite chippings to rake - he really needs a good area of gravel with a choice rock in the middle - nothing better first thing in a morning than raking a pattern into the gravel

Sorry to hear about the bonsai - some can be difficult to live with - I sold all mine when I got married 20 years ago as they took way too much time to maintain

Conditions you have must be ideal for moss - but a pain if you don't want it - perhaps your friend could come and take it all way and use it in his garden? - a win win - my mothers family were from near Keith in Banffshire so I was used to seeing all the forestry commission plantings up there of conifers - in a few places they even stuck in japanese larch   

Sorry for the late reply, just been very busy the last few days. Yes, the conditions here are perfect for moss, wet, shade and conifer trees.  The bonsai did take a lot of looking after, saying this I did like them. My mum had green fingers and never killed anything not like me.

Angie 
Keith is a lovely place, very friendly folks up there.