[Paul Plots]

I just love Rosemary but don't tell the wife!  The smell is strong and exotic - almost oily.

Then (although you would have to bend down for this one - and not a herb)... the hefty waft of cloves from strong coloured garden pinks. There are some good, bright red ones.

Finally you need a wooden or concrete box planter big enough to sit on in comfort. Fill with chamomile plants... what more could you ask for - a seat with scent!! 

[colleensj]

yes a seat with a scent indeed. It's something nice for him. He's still has some good central vision atm but I want to get it going and be nice and full and ready for him in time to come....plus I do like herbs and could do with being more adventurous in the kitchen with them.

Thanx to you all for your ideas. I love the big bright orange Calendula.....that's lovely and bright and the pelargonium sounds perfect for what we're looking for for him,  I don't suppose it has to be herb, I just though I may aswell have something I could use too.

My mum has some lavander that we could prolly take a cutting from.
Rosemary.....is that the one that looks like curryplant?

Lemon thyme is a new one to me.....  off to google them all 
cheers guys!!

[mobilekat]

For a bit more colour, there is Purple basil, smells just as good but is a very deep purple!

[peapod]

I wouldnt recommend the curry plant, it's a really overpowering smell and could mask the others gorgeous herbs that have been recommended

[madcat]

I would agree about keeping the curry plant a bit separate; we had one by the drive and you could always smell when someone had driven in ....  in the hot sun it can take over.

You can put calendula flowers in salad ...  so they are still useful!    Can I add coriander to the list?  Its warm spicy smell is lovely...  but dont let it flower - it will just fade away then.

[Carrotcake]

I love lemon balm, but it spreads like wild fire and is impossible to control once it's taken hold.
I would vote for lavender, lemon thyme and rosemary as they don't need too much attention and are perennial, so will reward you with years of delicious smells.

I haven't had much luck with growing annual herbs from seed. My chive seeds took forever to get going and look really weedy. Last year I bought a couple of pots of them from Lidl, split them up and planted them out and they've come back with a vengeance this year so might be worth a look.

Is it the brighter colours that your son can see best? If not, borage has a lovely little blue flower that tastes like cucumber, which might impress him. It did me!

[peapod]

Borage is also fab for the bees, it'll be lovely for him to hear them buzz about

[colleensj]

yeah the bright colours will be brilliant for him when the time comes.
Basically he's losing his peripheral vision called Usher syndrome so like tunnel vision that gradually over time gets worse. He is also profoundly deaf but has cochlear implants so can actually 'hear'. He loves bees and general bugs...lol (not wasps though) ha ha

Thanx for the advise about the curry plant.....will put it somewhere else where it wont drown everything out then.

cheers 

[Paul Plots]

As carrotcake says, be careful with the lemon balm... worse than mints once it starts to spread.

[Maxine Groobey]

I agree totally, favourites for smell definitely mint & lemon verbena, but also fennel, lovely light fluffy foliage with amassed smell, gets to about 4' though, grows tall but doesn't take over

[colleensj]

I love this site....you lovely people are so nice and helpful, thanx so much. Just nedto go and spend my hubbies pennies now   

[Springlands]

I know it is not a herb but cosmos has a beautiful chocolate smell

[blackisgreen]

not  herbs but try night scented stock ,evening primrose ,sweet smelling roses .
Fennel ,oh and what about sweet peas next year

[Lottiegob]

Peppermint (in a pot-it's crazey) is a powerful mint - and you can make peppermint tea too. Also Moroccon mint is great for regular cooking but is a stronger taste/smell.  Sage is beautiful, blue pinacle flowers which attract loads of bees (buzz buzz).

[digalotty]

a lovely idea colleensi , i may even may try putting some herbs around my shed where i will sit , the idea of smelling them while having a tea breack is wonderfull .

just need a shed now