Citylife in Lichfield November 2023

Your Garden in November
By Byron Lewis
November brings the start of colder weather, darker nights and
for many people, the end of the gardening season. But there are
still containers and hanging baskets that can be filled with
colourful plants to take you through the darkest months (if you
haven’t already changed them over). Choose from bedding plants
like viola and pansy combined with a selection of dwarf shrubs
and drop in some spring bulbs for extra colour next year.
Bulbs can still be planted – indeed tulips are best planted through
November. There are literally hundreds of varieties you can
choose from, but most garden centres will stock the more
popular types such as the Darwin range – a classic tulip flower
shape, which is ideal for the border. For more exposed spots or
tubs, choose dwarf varieties such as Red Riding Hood with
attractive foliage as well as red flowers.
Roses are ideal for planting in November too – most garden
centres have a delivery of freshly potted roses around now. These
tend to be bare of foliage at this time of year, but the range tends
to be wider, plus planting this month allows them to become
established earlier next spring. If you’ve not got space yet,
consider buying them and leaving them in their pots until ready
to plant. They are pretty much dormant so won’t be actively
growing – just keep them upright and damp and they should be
fine for at least a few weeks.
Also worth looking at now are hedging plants and fruit
trees/bushes. Like the roses, many of these will have been recently
potted ready for the next year – plant these as soon as you can
using some good quality compost and bonemeal added into the
planting hole – this encourages root growth so your plants
become established quickly next year. Again, the range will be
much better now than in the spring/summer months. Check out
all of these at your local garden centre in the coming weeks.
As we hit the end of the year, most people turn their attention to
Christmas. Next month, we’ll take a look at selecting the perfect
REAL Christmas Tree and have plenty of tips to keep your tree
looking good into the New Year.
Lichfield Garden Centre's Christmas Shop is now open, with a
huge range of new and unusual Christmas decorations, lights and
Christmas gifts.
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Byron Lewis runs Lichfield Garden Centre, based at
Curborough Countryside Centre, Watery Lane,
Lichfield. Visit the website at
www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk or search on
Facebook and Twitter.