Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Buxus sempervirens
Buxaceae · shrubs
Thymus serpyllum
Lamiaceae · groundcovers
Boxwood (Zones 5-8)
Creeping Thyme (Zones 4-8)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8
| Feature | Boxwood | Creeping Thyme |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buxus sempervirens | Thymus serpyllum |
| Family | Buxaceae | Lamiaceae |
| Category | shrubs | groundcovers |
| Sun | ☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Low |
| Soil | Well-drained | Well-drained, Poor |
| Height | 8' | 3" |
| Spread | 8' | 1' 6" |
| Bloom Season | Spring | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Green | Pink, Purple |
| Growth Rate | Slow | Medium |
| Native Region | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Boxwood
Creeping Thyme
Boxwood
Creeping Thyme
Choose Boxwood if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full sun with medium water in zones 5–8.
Choose Creeping Thyme if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 4–8.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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