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Enjoy this suprise bonus that many plants can give us by planting a selection of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and bulbs that provide interest and colour at this time of year. Of the trees: Acers, Amelanchier, Liquidamber (Sweet Gums), Parrotia, Prunus and Rhus can give spectacular foliage colour as can some of the shrubs such as Cotinus, Contoneaster, Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea 'Rose Glow', Euonymuseuropaeus, Hamamelis and Vaccinium. The last two remember, need acid soil conditions.
May still need mowing in open weather but do remember to raise the height of cut a little. Apply an Autumn Lawn feed in mild weather and remove leaves to the compost heap. In open weather continue to scarify, aerate and topdress.
Select a large container and multi layer it with bulbs. Put crocks over the drainage holes and then about 5cms of multi-purpose compost in the bottom and space Narcissus over this first layer. Add 8cms compost and then a layer of tulips. Repeat, and for the top layers use smaller bulbs such as Crocus, Muscari or Scillas. Finish with pansy or viola on top. Amaryllis and Narcissus (paperwhites) can be planted indoors.
This can be achieved by planting a selection of Pansies and Violas. Fill a large tub or bowl with multi-purpose compost, water in after planting and site in a sunny, sheltered position to promote flowering theough the winter. Regularly dead head and fee with tomato feed every week.
From the wide range of products available in the Garden Centre. When cutting back in the borders leave seed heads for the birds and enjoy some apples for the blackbirds.
For all the ornamental deciduous trees and shrubs including new crop Roses as well as Fruit trees and Soft fruits. Prepare the site thoroughly incorporating soil conditioner and general fertiliser, Bonemeal or Tree and Shrub compost. Take care to ensure the final planting depth is no greater than in the original container and carefully stake and tie taller specimens.
Use a small chemical test kit to check PH of your soil. This will indicate the amount of lime present in the soil and is very useful to know if you intend to grow acid loving plants such as Rhododendron or Pieris. It is also essential to check your vegetable plot for all the Brassicas need additional lime to help avoid Clubroot. For most plants a PH of 6.5 is ideal, for at this level most of the major and minor (trace elements) are more freely available to plants roots.
On variegated evergreens should be pruned out to their point of origin e.g. Eleagnus, Holly and Euonymus are worth checking over.
Should be applied as soon as possible to control the wingless female of the winter moth. She crawls up the tree trunk to lay eggs, which after hatching in the spring, cause foliage damage. A new spray on formulation is certainly easier to use. Fruit trees, ornamental and woodland trees may be treated.
