[scabs]

Ok, so we're all agreed... I won't be planting lemon balm.

Can I have chives?

[HLS]

I've grown chives in a bed which only got sun in the afternoon, so I can't see why not.  I can't seem to start them from seed, for some reason, but a bought plant grew very well (without trying to take over, unlike lemon balm).

I was actually thinking of getting some lemon balm myself, and keeping it in a pot - I've seen how it's spread on a friend's allotment, although there at least it gives you something fragrant to stand on when you're picking the gooseberries) - but if it spreads by seed I'll think again.  I like the scent, but not enough to have it all over the garden!

[mumofstig]

Can I have chives?

Yup i find them very well behaved..........you might like to try garlic chives as well, little bit bigger with either white or blue chive flowers

[scabs]

Ok, we're turning things around here... I like blue, so we'll give that a go! 

So... Thyme, Lavender, Chives (and Garlic Chives) and sage...

Doesn't sound a lot. 

[HLS]

How about rosemary?  It'd be another candidate for the blue theme.  And maybe thyme round the edges - perhaps a variegated or golden version for extra decoration.

You'll probably want to allow a reasonable amount of space around lavender and rosemary, for them to grow.  Different varieties grow to different heights/widths, I think, so check labels.  Lavender might want to go in the sunniest bit, too - I haven't tried growing it in partial shade, although if your plot is getting sun from 10am it doesn't sound too bad to me.

[mumofstig]

Do you like oregano?  that's easy from seed as well
lemon thyme and orange thyme?
Dill has pretty frondy leaves but does self seed...not as bad as lemon balm tho'
Basil as an annual red types look pretty
The creeping type of rosemary rather than the upright one (unless you have the room for that)
Still thinking.......

[sunshineband]

Lemon balm has completely invaded the base of a berberis hedge about 10m long at work --- smells good and as it is not taking up any useful space I let it alone BUT would never have it in a herb bed 

You could include bay in your bed -- grows fast, very useful in cooking and also self seeds a bit and so provides give aways or material for fancy lollipops in pots, you know the kind of thing, which are other wise very pricy

[scabs]

I've already gotlavender and rosemary growing on 'the patio' (an area in front of the shed that I shoddily paved...  )

Way ahead of you on the thyme (variegated)...

Oregano sounds good and bay... doesn't that get pretty large?

[MoreWhisky]

I thought your Lemmon balm looks ok there Ice 

[Ice]

Thanks, it does.  It's the uncles, aunts, cousins, sisters, brothers and hangers on that have invaded the border that I object to.  Mind you, I got some Roundup today.

[Scribbler]

I'd have parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, dill, fennel, coriander, oregano, mint, lemon balm (yes really), chives.

You got enough room?

Lemon balm makes a lovely infusion, and only two or three fennel seeds (when it's gone to seed) are great for indigestion.

 I used to be in the Herb Society many moons ago.

[sunshineband]

I've already gotlavender and rosemary growing on 'the patio' (an area in front of the shed that I shoddily paved...  )

Way ahead of you on the thyme (variegated)...

Oregano sounds good and bay... doesn't that get pretty large?

It can grow into a tree over about 15 years or so but you can prune it as hard as you wnat and it comes back no trouble.

Our biggest one s 22 years old and about 5 feet high only and I've never topped it. Doesn't mind a bit of shade during part of the day either.

[mumofstig]

Bay grows into a tree if you're lucky(?)
Borage is very pretty...blue or white
Parsley, Sweet marjoram. Pot marigolds and feverfew.

That's it never grown any others

If you like lemon perhaps lemon verbena but i think that's half hardy

[Martin]

Nice article about starting a first herb garden here.

[Stripey_cat]

I like balm myself.  And I find it's not really worse than any other weeds to control: if you get the seedlings it's easy, if you let them go it isn't.

Mint likes it a bit damper than the rest, so you might be better off with it somewhere else.