Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum or T. praecox) and Austrialian thyme (Ocimum tenuiflorum) are completely different plants.

Thyme likes full sun, good drainage and not too much water. Large conifers that cast a lot of shade or drop a lot of needles would not be much to its liking.

It is mostly green all winter, although wet PNW winters and sometimes periods of extreme cold can cause dieback or browning.

It doesn't flower continuously but is usually in boom for a period of time (no pun!!) in summer.

How well it clumps depends on the growing conditions. Creeping thyme DOES creep :-))

Can't answer your last question - that's up to you!!