PlantAdvice.co.uk

In this month’s edition of the podcast we look at seasonal gardening jobs to do in the garden during the month of November and a selection of plants that look good in the garden at this time of year.

Review of  the Glee Show - 01' 25"

• Square foot gardening plant spacers from Green Jeeves
  
• Drain-pipe pot hangers from Pot Magic
  

Plant of the Month - 07' 19"

Our plant of the month for November is Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion' – Beauty Berry.

• Hardy, deciduous shrub
• Likes full sun or partial shade
• Height up to 3m, spread 2.5m
• Average growth rate
• Flowers: small, pink, July
• Foliage: 5-12cm young foliage is purplish, turning dark green in summer and later golden-purple in autumn
• Fruit: clusters of violet, bead-like berries (4mm) in autumn , which remain into winter after the plant has lost its leaves, adding continued interest
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Can tolerate some lime in the soil.
• RHS Award of Garden Merit
• RHS Perfect for Pollinators
• Berries and leaves used for flower arranging
• Maintenance: Prune in early spring

Jobs in the Garden - 09' 40"

• Take Hardwood Cuttings
• Some shrubs are best propagated by taking hardwood cuttings at this time of year.
• This method can be used for some rose cultivars and shrubs such as Cornus and Sambucus.
• Cut 20cm long, pencil thick stems. The top cut should be sloping and just above a bud. The base cut should be horizontal, just below a bud.
• Dip the base of the cutting in hormone rooting powder and then insert into a prepared slit trench that has had some grit or sand forked into the base
• ¾ of the length of the cutting should be in the soil.
• Label your cuttings so you remember what they are when they have rooted in about 12 -18 months time.
• Continue to Collect Fallen Leaves
• Fallen leaves can be collected and stored for a couple of years to make your own leaf mould.
• Once it has rotted down properly, leaf mould makes an excellent soil improver, especially if you want to make a heavy clay soil easier to work.
• Leaf mould can even be used as seed compost.
• Spread a net over garden ponds to catch falling leaves
• Lift and divide congested herbaceous perennials, keep the vigorous outer shoots
• Plant bare rooted trees and shrubs
• Lightly fork over borders so that they absorb autumn rainfall quickly and efficiently
• Gunnera manicata leaves can be cut back and used to cover the crowns for protection against winter weather
• Cut lawns for the final time this year and arrange for the lawnmower to be serviced
• Complete planting of tulip bulbs
• Sites for new lawns can be prepared for seed sowing in the spring

In the Vegetable Garden - 12' 58"

• Sow seeds inside of: Lettuce.
• Sow seeds outside of: Broad beans.
• Plant out: Garlic cloves and rhubarb crowns
• Harvest: Swiss chard, Spinach, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Swede, Leeks, Radish, Parsnips, Kale, Beetroot, Carrots, Cabbage and Lettuce

Plants of Note - 13' 39"

Two plants that we felt were worthy of note for this month are:

Camellia sasanqua 'Plantation Pink'

• Hardy evergreen shrub
• Average growth rate
• 6m tall, 3m spread
• Strongly upright, but with an open habit
• Partial shade, but preferably not east-facing
• Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil or ericaceous compost for pot-grown plants
• Flowers: large pastel pink, single flowers with a large boss of golden yellow stamens, sweet fragrance, October to December
• Foliage: glossy, dark green leaves
• Protect from cold, dry winds and early morning sun to prevent damage to the emerging buds and flowers
• Water plants in dry weather to prevent buds falling off
• Apply a balanced fertiliser in mid-spring and June. Top-dress annually with well-rotted leaf mould
• After flowering lightly prune to retain its shape

Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon'

• Hardy deciduous climber
• Compact variety, good for container growing
• Fast growing
• 3m tall, 1.5m spread
• Full sun or partial shade
• RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Flowers: deeply veined rich red and yellow stamen, 12cm, July to November
• Foliage: mid to dark green leaves
• Maintenance: cut back stems to a pair of strong buds about 15cm above ground before growth begins in early spring. Mulch in late winter with garden compost or well-rotted manure but avoid the crown
• Good resistance to Clematis wilt

Useful Links

• Buy Plants Online from Crocus