I've never had trouble with thyme being aggressive but of course mints are another story. I have a couple of places where they can "run," but otherwise I do pots, or half-bury a big pot in the ground. Kentucky Colonel Spearmint is actually an exception for me... it spreads readily but doesn't seem to choke out other plants the way most of the mints do... in fact, I've successfully grown snow peas in the bed where the KYC spearmint lives -- the mint kept the bunnies away by confusing their little noses!
Sorry about your bonsai, Shy! Maybe I can set you up with a new one to play with... don't have anything from Brasil, but I do have one from Australia (bottle tree, I think) that would like a more attentive keeper. I'll try to make a note of it.
