The unpredictability of the weather can make it hard to decide what particular gardening task to do:  is it too wet to mow?  Is it too dry to plant my new tree?  Will there be a frost soon so should a bring my tender plants inside? Climate change has impacted on us gardeners in so many ways: I noticed that several nurseries where you can order online extended their delivery season to include November as it was so mild and the soil still warm, Beth Chatto and Sarah Raven included.

One of the best survivors of floods that sat for several days last year with their feet in water on some beds here at Charnwood have been roses.  I’ve talked about those beautiful, if pricey, David Austin roses several times in this space, so it may not surprise you to know that I ordered three more ‘Tottering by Gently’ roses to join the one I already had that had survived the flooding.  They were delivered mid November during a period of dry weather lasting several weeks – blooming typical. Undeterred I got them planted with a wheelbarrow full of home made  compost, some mycorrhizal fungi sprinkled in the generous sized planting hole and over the roots  and Peter’s kind help with a large spade.  With a really good watering they look happy in their new home.  Fingers crossed.

Also last year I filled some pots up with a range of spring bulbs:  alliums, tulips, iris and daffodils, and they almost all rotted away.  A lesson learned, include plenty of grit in the potting mix and raise them up on little feet so they are clear of the ground, then put them in a place that is sheltered from torrential rain.

I still think that a pot planted up with bulbs is one of the best Christmas presents you can give.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, the fact that has been prepared by the kind giver with care is bound to be appreciated.  And they would be reminded of your kindness in the Spring!  For added interest pop violas or primroses on top, the bulbs will grow up through them and the pot won’t be empty before they do emerge.

For the gardener who has all the basic tools, a Hori-hori knife is a good addition.  Its is kind of multi-purpose tool that has many applications in the garden:  I find it really useful for dividing perennials as one side of the blade is sharp and the other has a serrated edge so it can cut through clumps of roots. Primrose, Crocus and Niwaki all sell them for around £30.

A winter flowering shrub with a good scent is a good gift: our Virburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn looks and smells gorgeous as I write in mid November and she will continue to do so through the milder winter weeks ahead. It has really pretty white flowers with a tinge of pink round the edges.  A photo is attached which doesn’t do it justice, but it will give you an idea I hope.  It has now made a big, multi stemmed bush around 2.5 metres tall.  Best pruned if you need to after it has finished flowering. 

For those with bigger budgets a comfy seat outside in a sheltered spot is often a good buy this time of year in the sale after the summer barbeque season is done.  Sitting outside with a glass or a cuppa is a joy if you spend most of your days inside. If the chair is next to a waft of perfume from your winter flowering viburnum or a winter box, the Spring doesn’t seem so far away!

Seasons Greetings, stay safe and well and I’ll be back in February.