November - Plants of the Moment

November - Autumn planting

Autumn is a good time for planning and planting, establishing plants into warm soil before the onset of winter. The soil in new borders should be prepared, digging in generous quantities of compost and bulky organic material to improve its structure and drainage, getting conditions right for new plants.

Always choose plants suited to the soil, site and conditions you can provide. And that’s where the experts at your local nurseries and garden centres can help out, so visit them now to pick their brains for the best advice and suggestions.

Large patio pots, tubs, troughs and baskets can also be planted with a selection of evergreen, flowering and berrying plants to provide colour and interest over the cold winter months ahead, such as skimmia, gaultheria, ivy, viburnum, euonymus, plus flowering bedding like pansies and violas.

Many bare-rooted plants are only available from the autumn offering great value for hedging and planting projects. Whether it’s new fruit and trees, a mixed border of shrubs and perennials, or a bed full of fragrant roses, an impressive range of plants are available now ready for immediate planting.

Some seasonal favourites include:

• Skimmia varieties eg Skimmia ‘Magic Marlot’
• Gaultheria mucronata
• Cyclamen hederifolium AGM
• Mahonia ‘Charity’ and ‘Winter Sun’ AGM
• Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ and ‘Charles Lamont’ AGM
• Autumn Flowering Camellia eg C. sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ AGM
• Callicarpa ‘Profusion’ AGM
• Dogwood varieties (Cornus)
• Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ AGM
• Heathers