What will your garden look like through winter? Will evergreens add colour and interest when the leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs fall? Will there be delicate flowers to scent the cool winter air? Are you planting bulbs that will colour your garden from late winter through to early summer? Are you using flower bulbs to create exciting planting combinations, or are you just buying whatever comes to hand and planting them where there is a gap in the border? Are you making the most of ideal soil conditions to plant roses, shrubs and climbers that will bring your garden to life next summer?

Leucothoe ‘Lovita‘

Availability on the plant area is never better than it is now. Skimmias are bristling with flowerbuds nestling amongst their dark glossy leaves. These make wonderful additions to shady borders, or as enduring subjects for winter pots. Leucothoe ‘Lovita‘ is an acid lover but is equally at home in a pot of ericaceous compost. This lovely dwarf shrub turns rich red in winter and will light up the patio or doorstep with its colourful leaves. Heucheras too are at their best now and will stay looking great in the border or in pots throughout winter, certainly delivering a more reliable display of colour than many bedding plants.

Cornus grown for their winter stems often have good autumn colour before the leaves fall and stem colour intensifies in winter. Plant now to make the most of them through two seasons, rather than waiting until everyone wants them in midwinter.

The same is true of those shrubs that brave the elements to produce fragrant winter flowers. When they are doing their stuff they disappear from the garden centre benches all too quickly. Buy them now and you have their fragrance to look forward to this winter, as well as for years to come. Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill‘ and Sarcococca confuse.

Flower bulbs are an easy decision when it comes to choosing plants for the garden. Their reliable performance comes with the minimum of investment. Dwarf bulbs such as crocus, iris and snowdrop should be planted as soon as you buy them. You have until December to plant tulips and large flowering narcissi, but do not put off buying until then as the choice is greatest now.

The soil is moist and warm and, although above ground the growth of trees and shrubs starts to slow, below ground roots are active. This is the best time therefore to plant those important trees and shrubs that form the backbone of any garden. Rhododendrons and azaleas look at their best now and the selection of varieties is greatest. Some have wonderful foliage that will add to the garden in winter, but still with those wonderful flowers to look forward to in spring. For those gardening on chalk these are still worth considering for pots and raised beds.

If you are considering a hedge, or just need a few screening shrubs then now is a great time to plant. Evergreens will continue to grow and develop throughout winter, so you are buying time if you plant in autumn rather than spring.

Some summer flowering bulbs such as lilies and alliums are planted in autumn. Both subjects add different shapes and colours to the planting picture and fit in anywhere. Planting bulbs now is much cheaper than buying them as pot grown plants later in the year.

This is also the best time to plant roses. Be honest with yourself about the performance of your roses this summer. If once again your roses have failed to deliver much more than a splendid display of blackspot it is time to get rid of them and plant some decent ones. The newer varieties of English Rose raised by David Austin are more resistant to disease and will flower throughout summer if planted now. If you are planting where roses were growing previously you do not need to change the soil, just use Rootgrow when planting.