Question
I planted about 80 wooly thyme plants on my patio between the flagstones this spring hoping they would spread and fill in the space.  I live in northern Connecticut and the soil is well drained.  They seemed to be doing well, but recently I noticed that some of them have browned out completely.  It seems to be spreading throughout the patio.  Could it be from all the recent rain, or do you think they might have a fungus?  Do you have any suggestions on saving the remaining plants?
Thanks

Answer
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a Mediterranean native.  You can read one gardener's success story at the Rainy Side Gardeners website:

http://www.rainyside.com/archives/thyme.html

Although this is hardy to Zone 5 -- well within your range -- one statement they post declares: 'A native of hot dry hillsides, thyme needs at least a half day of full sun and well-drained soil' -- and herein lies the key to success with Woolly Thyme.

Wikipedia's definition of 'Mediterranean Climate' will give you the specs on what kind of weather this plant needs to thrive:  Summer temps maxing out at 86 degrees F with only 1.33 inches of rain (you probably got that in a WEEK).  Getting through the Summer is only half the battle; these plants prefer cool, wet winters rarely dipping below 46 degrees F on the thermometer, and 17.7 inches of RAIN (since it is not cold enough to snow).  That's textbook Mediterranean Climate.  

'Besides the Mediterranean Basin, regions which have a Mediterranean climate include much of California and non-coastal southern Oregon (most areas between the Umpqua River and San Diego) ...'

Connecticut is not on the short list.  Neither is England, where Vita Sackville-West grew this on benches and between brick and stone paths just like you want to do.

As we know, England and Northern Connecticut also have different climates.  Let's look at the weather in London this month.  Average rainfall: 0.00 cm/inches -- yes, ZERO precipitation.  Average min/max temps: 55 to 75 degrees F.

Let's compare that to the weather in Danbury, Connecticut.  Typical historical average rainfall this month (July): 3.95 inches; average min/max temps: 61 to 81 degrees F.  For July 2007, Danbury got 4.63 inches of rain; on July 10, it hit 91 degrees F, and dipped down to 45 degrees F on July 2.

That's 4.63 more inches of rain than they got in fog-famous London.  The average temps are 6 degrees hotter than London.

Bottom line: Your concern about the cats and dogs it rained is justified.

And your Fungus suggestion is right on the money, because that's what happens to plants that can't deal with too much water.

Now, what are you going to do about it?

There's not much you can do about Acts of God.  But you might try maxing out those things you can control, like your soil.

You described the growing medium as 'well drained'.  Consider these plants grow best in gravel and sand, my friend, and drain it even better.  When it rains, make absolutely certain there is no puddling between these stones.  Many times these plants are grown UP in raised borders; walking areas tend to be the lowest parts of a garden.  There is NO room for compromise here.

I don't know how this is going to work out during the winter.  All that snow may just mean too much H2O for Woolly Thyme.  But if you drain it enough, perhaps the Thyme will make it to spring, past the April showers.

These Woolly Thymes are classic selections that are unmatched for elegance and the Sissinghurst effect.  I hope you succeed.  Thanks for writing.