Hey Jim, I planted Lemon Thyme in Ohio. They are currently about 8 inches in diameter but I trim them in the fall. BTW, I also planted them in the fall. We get a fair amount of rain here but not quite as much as the Pac NW. About 40 inches per year where I am located. We also have high humidity. Typically, above 55%. I made a rock garden and mixed the already existing soil with sand and then poured the mixed soil back on the ground between the rocks. I included some succulents between the rocks for interest. Since planting 2 years ago the thyme and succulents have thrived. They have survived 2 winters at temps as low as 10 degrees. I do not water them. I let the weather do that. I planted them along a concrete walk way and trained them by trimming them to grow between the 18 inch concrete step stones. I let them trail in to the rock garden too and only trim them there if the encroach on the succulents. They are planted on the North East side of the house and spend half of the day in direct sunlight, then some partial shade and then full shade depending on the position of the sun. They give a beautiful lemony scent and can withstand the occasional crushing under foot. I suspect the fungus might be from too much water. Try adding more sand for drainage. They may be suffering from root rot. They can take the heat and the cold. I have found that controlling the water is key. Maybe try not watering them and let the weather do that. Maybe the combination of more sand and less help with water will help your plants thrive too. Hope this is helpful.
Hey Jim, I planted Lemon Thyme in Ohio. They are currently about 8 inches in diameter but I trim them in the fall. BTW, I also planted them in the fall. We get a fair amount of rain here but not quite as much as the Pac NW. About 40 inches per year where I am located. We also have high humidity. Typically, above 55%. I made a rock garden and mixed the already existing soil with sand and then poured the mixed soil back on the ground between the rocks. I included some succulents between the rocks for interest. Since planting 2 years ago the thyme and succulents have thrived. They have survived 2 winters at temps as low as 10 degrees. I do not water them. I let the weather do that. I planted them along a concrete walk way and trained them by trimming them to grow between the 18 inch concrete step stones. I let them trail in to the rock garden too and only trim them there if the encroach on the succulents. They are planted on the North East side of the house and spend half of the day in direct sunlight, then some partial shade and then full shade depending on the position of the sun. They give a beautiful lemony scent and can withstand the occasional crushing under foot. I suspect the fungus might be from too much water. Try adding more sand for drainage. They may be suffering from root rot. They can take the heat and the cold. I have found that controlling the water is key. Maybe try not watering them and let the weather do that. Maybe the combination of more sand and less help with water will help your plants thrive too. Hope this is helpful.