Creeping thyme has long been a favorite of gardeners the world over and for good reason. 'Coccineus' grows only two to three inches tall with a spread of up to 18 inches, forming a fragrant mat of tiny leaves that erupt with magenta colored flowers in the summer. Drought-tolerant once established, creeping thyme will trail over retaining walls or the edges of container planters and hanging baskets. Deer don't appreciate it while bees and butterflies love the flowers. Creeping thyme can handle a bit of foot traffic, so it works well between stepping stones, releasing its heady fragrance when stepped on. Though theoretically evergreen here in the Portland area, we have found that it will die back in heavy freezes, only to rebound nicely once the weather warms up.