Thyme 'Archers Gold'

Thymus x citriodorus 'Archers Gold'

Height:
Up to 9cm
Suitable for:
Sunny well drained spot. Containers, rockeries and paths.
Summary:
Archers Gold is a low growing lemon scented thyme with dense bright gold foliage on bushy arching stems. The flowers are a pale pinky purple in colour and are very attractive to both bees and butterflies.
Thyme 'Archers Gold': Thymus x citriodorus 'Archers Gold'

Archers Gold thyme was first discovered by Bill Archer growing in Somerset. Under ideal conditions this compact and creeping thyme will spread up to 45cm across. It needs full sun in order to develop the best foliage colour and, like all thymes, it grows best in a welldrained soil.

It is suitable for planting in any dry sunny place and a group of 3 or 4 will give a contrasting splash of gold to green leaved foliage. In winter, as the weather becomes colder, the gold colour intensifies and they look lovely planted in containers with tiny dwarf daffodils or crocus, to give an early spring display. Like all thymes it should be trimmed hard after flowering to ensure lots of new shoots to use in the kitchen and this also keeps the plant neat and compact.

Thyme is traditionally used with meat and in sauces, stuffings, stews and soups. In addition to this the fruity lemony flavour makes the leaves ideal to use with fish and poultry as well as fruit salads and baked custard.

Lemon thyme and garlic dip

  • 5 tbls mayonnaise
  • 5 tbls crème fraiche
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp french mustard
  • 2 tsp of lemon thyme leaves, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper

Crush the garlic cloves to a paste in a pestle and mortar with ¼ tsp salt.

Spoon the mayonnaise and crème fraiche into a bowl and mix in the garlic paste, mustard and lemon thyme leaves. Season with black pepper and more salt if desired.

Serve decorated with golden lemon thyme leaves.

Any left over dip will keep in the fridge to be used as a topping for baked potatoes or a sauce with kebabs.


This thyme is used as an aromatic decongestant and also in aromatherapy for asthma and respiratory complaints. It is especially used for children as the oil is thought to be less irritant than other thyme oils.