Advice please

[lenityg]

In our new house which is currently being built we will have a very small plot of garden a rectangle which is 10 foot by 15 foot. The way the house is set means we will have the sun by the house in the morning and in evening on the back half of the garden so we thought we would have small patio at the back and the front.

Now here are my questions for you Alan Titchmarshs out there.

I want a smelly garden full of herbs and lavendar etc.

I don't particularly want a difficult lawn.

My mother has suggested that we have a Cammomile Lawn or a thyme lawn which is easy to look after and that you only have to give it a trim every couple of years. I like the idea of this but have no idea whether it is practical or not. Do any of you have a 'different lawn' or know whether this is easy to look after. Also bearing in mind that hopefully in a couple of years we will have the addition of small tygs in there is it safe?

And so the garden isn't all green what are the best herbs and smelly plants that have a few different colours.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Fi]

lenityg said:

In our new house which is currently being built we will have a very small plot of garden a rectangle which is 10 foot by 15 foot. The way the house is set means we will have the sun by the house in the morning and in evening on the back half of the garden so we thought we would have small patio at the back and the front.

Now here are my questions for you Alan Titchmarshs out there.

I want a smelly garden full of herbs and lavendar etc.

I don't particularly want a difficult lawn.

My mother has suggested that we have a Cammomile Lawn or a thyme lawn which is easy to look after and that you only have to give it a trim every couple of years. I like the idea of this but have no idea whether it is practical or not. Do any of you have a 'different lawn' or know whether this is easy to look after. Also bearing in mind that hopefully in a couple of years we will have the addition of small tygs in there is it safe?

And so the garden isn't all green what are the best herbs and smelly plants that have a few different colours.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Herb lawns are not as tough as grass, so, while they will not be harmful for TYGs, the TYGs, as they grow, could certainly harm the lawn. Maybe a better bet would be to plant some herbs like thyme in between the patio paving so that you'de still get the pleasure of the smell when they were stood on.
The most colourful herb I can think of is bergamot (Monarda - there are a number of varieties ranging from bright red to soft pinks and some mauves. The flowers of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) varieties come a close second - they are available in reds, yellows, pinks, mauves, and oranges. Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum) has white flowers which droop down from the stems. Variegated thymes and mints have pale mauve flowers, but the variegated leaves add a lot more interest. Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis has small yellow flowers in profusion, and lovely leaves, but self seeds all over the place - it's a bit of a thug if the seedlings aren't removed asap. Mallows (Malva come in all sorts of soft pinks and creams, some with darker markings.
I'm sure there are others - I'll add to this list if and when I think of any more.

Another thread reminded me of saffron crocuses - they are a lovely treat in autumn.