@sheepnik yes, i especially like the bee collection. good price for it too. will pick up some more next year but this a very workable start.
the plan is for thyme varieties and roman chamomile as ground cover with rosemary varieties etc for height. a trial thyme and rosemary (49p from Asda last summer) are doing well in the space. there's a lot of sand in the soil from the layer under the pavement so drainage is good.