Written by: Crocus Head Gardener Ashley Edwards
As the garden settles into winter, there's still plenty to enjoy and plenty to plant. From fragrant herbs and winter-flowering climbers to colourful violas and elegant hellebores, November offers opportunities to bring life, colour and scent to your garden. Here are five plants worth finding a home for this month, each with something special to offer through the colder days ahead
Herbs
Many herbs can still be planted in the garden as long as the ground isn't waterlogged or frozen. Having pots of herbs by your door or on the windowsill is a great way to encourage you outside in the depths of winter. Just picking them and inhaling the aroma is an uplifting experience. Some of my personal favourites are purple sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurescens’) trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus Group) thyme (Thymus vulgaris) bay (Laurus nobilis) and winter savoury (Satureja montana). They are all great for warming herbal teas, sprinkling on your roast dinners and flavouring soups.
Winter flowering clematis
Growing a clematis up a wall or trellis will give your garden height and impact. Clothing bare walls with greenery makes a huge difference in winter and will also provide habitat for insects and birds. You could also grow an evergreen clematis over an arbour or seat so that you can relax under the beauty of it with a hot drink, in the middle of winter.
Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens 'Freckles' is a fantastic evergreen clematis with white bell-shaped flowers that are freckled with red spots on the inside of the petals. It often starts flowering in early winter and goes through Christmas. Plant it on a trellis or frame in sun or dappled shade, maybe even around your window so you can appreciate it in the winter months.
Clematis cirrhosa 'Wisley Cream' is also in the same group of winter-lowering, evergreen climbers. The flowers really stand out during the gloom of January and February, with the foliage providing a deep green backdrop. Grow it up a support and in a sunny protected spot to get the best from it.
Clematis cirrhosa 'Jingle Bells' has very delicate-looking, pure white flowers that carry a light fragrance. Similar to other C. cirrhosa species, they like to grow in a sunny warm spot and be protected from the worst of the winter cold. The roots of all clematis like to be kept cool and shady, to prevent them drying out.
