Plant Heritage Spring 2004
Update on Thymus Names
In my article in Plant Heritage, Vol. 8 No. 2, Autumn 2001, describing the new Thymus Coccineus Group,
I stated that T. serpyllum coccineus 'Major' and T.s. 'Minor' could not be included in the new Group.
In my article in Plant Heritage, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 2003, I dealt with Thymus serpyllum coccineus 'Major',
which is now known as T. 'Coccineus Major'.
At that time I proposed delaying the decision on a new name for T. serpyllum coccineus 'Minor'.
As I stated then, the earliest known reference is 1961, in Blooms of Bressingham's catalogue.
Alan Bloom considers that the name arose through a long-standing cataloguing error.
The trade catalogue of 1954-55 lists T. serpyllum coccineus, T. serpyllum coccineus major,
followed by T. serpyllum minor.
These thymes are also listed in the nursery catalogue of 1960-61.
However, in the 1961-62 catalogue are T. serpyllum coccineus, T. serpyllum coccineus major,
followed by T. serpyllum coccineus minor.
It is described as having pink flowers.
This listing remains in subsequent catalogues.
Alan Bloom told me that he has grown this thyme since the 1930s and T. serpyllum minus is listed in the Blooms catalogue of 1939.
This thyme differs from T. serpyllum 'Minor' offered by other nurseries.
The flowers are purple-pink (78C), with an almost translucent appearance, compared with 78B of T. serpyllum 'Minor'.
The leaves are small and it has a compact creeping habit.
Some thymes have very well defined characteristics and can be readily identified and this is one of them.
A new name is therefore needed to distinguish it from the T. serpyllum 'Minor' available from other nurseries.
I propose that it is known as Thymus 'Alan Bloom' in recognition of a great plantsman.
I have spoken to him regarding the new name and he is delighted.
The cultivar name 'Alan Bloom' will only refer to the creeping thyme with flowers 78C.
All thymes known as T. serpyllum coccineus 'Minor', with dark crimson flowers 78A/71A,
should now be included in the Coccineus Group.
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