Top 6 to plant now
Camellia
The single and double flowers of C. x williamsii come in reds, pinks, creams or pure white, and are set against glossy evergreen leaves. Best on a west-facing fence, they prefer neutral or acid soil, but thrive in containers. H: 31⁄4 -61⁄2ft/1-2m.
Clematis
Some evergreen winter clematis will be starting to bloom – look for ‘Freckles’ (above). Meanwhile late summer varieties like bright yellow ‘Bill McKenzie’ and large-flowered ‘John Paul II’ will still be flowering. H: 61⁄2-20ft/2-6m.
this month. These can be planted now – in borders and in containers – to bring a little dazzle to that dingy view.
You may be surprised at just how much is available. In addition to pyracanthas and cotoneasters that will be dripping with berries into the New Year, there are other shrubs to catch the eye. The first winter heathers are colouring up nicely,
Cherry
Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ is the one to look for, a small and wellbranched tree featuring frilly white flowers opening from pink buds. It is at its peak about now, and twigs cut in bud will open indoors. H: 161⁄2ft/5m.
Erica
Dainty-looking but very tough, winter heathers are starting to come in to season. Fragrant Erica x darleyensis is taller, but varieties of E. carnea feature attractive foliage colours. Happy in most soils and in full sun. H: 6-16in/15-40cm.
Chrysanthemum
Garden centres should still have neat chrysanths in pots – ideal for sunny beds or containers. Plant different varieties and mix them with pansies and violas. The last hardy perennial chrysanths will also still be blooming. 1-3ft/30-90cm.
Mahonia
Stout upright branches carrying bold, evergreen foliage are topped by a fountain of stems lined with yellow flowers. ‘Charity’ (above) offers November blooms with a good scent, and black berries often follow. H: 6ft/1.8m.
“You might be surprised at how much is available”
and mahonias, with their long scented strings of dainty yellow flowers, will bloom from now all the way through the frosts. Bushy honeysuckles, so much easier to manage than climbing sorts, are opening their fragrant creamy blooms on bare branches, and the cooler the weather, the longer they will last.
Then there are late-flowering clematis,
so often overlooked – although, granted, not everyone has space for them. Or consider viburnums: evergreens may feature flowers and dark berries at the same time, while deciduous sorts are beautifully scented. There’s even a flowering cherry at its peak six months after other cherries have faded.
Some pampas grasses retain their plumes even into December (although these are rarely sold in garden centres in bloom – how would you get them in car?!); and it’s the same for miscanthus. A succession of cyclamen are a sure winner in the cold months, as are autumn crocuses and rare autumn snowdrops.
In fact, there are numerous lovely November options, and with some careful planning – plus a bit of effort and outlay – you can turn this from a month to avoid the garden into one during which you can really get the best from it.