Why Hostas and Herbs?

It took me a while to find a name for this blog.

Did I want a straightforward, does what is says on the tin, title. "Confessions of a novice garden designer" maybe?

Or should I go for something witty and clever? Trouble was I couldn't think of anything.

In the end, I took inspiration from another blog which combined 2 plant names.

Both herbs and hostas have featured in my previous gardens - but with dramatically different results.

Here's my herb border from my last garden in York:

Somewhat lacking in design, but at least the plants are healthy and gave us a good supply of fresh herbs.

However, when it comes to hostas, I have a 100% failure record. No hosta of mine has ever made it above 2 inches before being stripped bald and giving up the ghost. Maybe I'm just too kind to the slugs and snails. Or am I missing some important detail?

Unfortunately every article on plants for north facing gardens recommends hostas. And they do look great when other people grow them.

So one of my missions for the new garden is to successfully grow hostas - and of course, a beautiful, tasty herb garden.

My new garden challenge

I love gardens. Sitting in them that is. Enjoying the sunshine and the plants (preferably with a glass of something chilled in hand).

I'm less keen on all the back breaking work that goes into creating one.

But I'm just about to move into a new house and this is my new garden:

It's about 3 times the size of any previous garden I've owned. It's north facing and it's in Manchester.

My aim is to transform it into an urban oasis.

Luckily I love a challenge.

I hope you'll join me on my journey of discovery into garden design and creation.

Maybe even learn how to grow hostas successfully.