In article , Raymond RUSSELL
writes

Any suggestions for the ground underfoot ?
Ideally we would like to leave table and chairs there without them rotting
away from the feet up.


I'd put the table and chairs on slabs. Table would be easy, since you'd
probably want to leave it in the same place all the year round, so you'd
only need slabs at the corners. Chairs more of a problem. What sort of
chairs are you having? If you were using folding ones, you could hang
them up when not actually in use (Am I right in remembering you said
this was against the north wall of a barn or did I imagine that?)

If it's not all in the sun, I would have thought decking could get wet
and slippery especially out of summer.

My inclination would be slabs or gravel, perhaps with planting holes for
aromatic plants. Remember most of the scented herbs (thymes, oregano and
so on) like it hot and well drained, but your Mentha requienii will like
it moist.

Don't forget wallflowers are good for early perfume. Perhaps a bush of
Viburnum bodnantense for perfume in winter (mine has just started
flowering and will be in flower till about March) - others will say
Sarcococca, but it doesn't grow for me. Nicotiana give good late season
scent. In between the wallflowers and the Nicotiana you're spoilt for
choice!
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"