What to Plant in November
With Autumn festivities in full swing and bursts of bronze leaves whirling about, we might not want to contemplate the fact that the colder winter months are just around the corner. But this is actually an opportune time to choose from a range of amazing shrubs, which you can look forward to flowering in the spring! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a beginner gardener, there is definitely a plant you could start growing now.
If you plan ahead by growing shrubs now, your garden could soon be filled with an incredible display of colourful, unique and intriguing plants.
Why Grow shrubs?
On top of their aesthetic value, there are many reasons to want to grow shrubs in your garden. Here are a few:
Biodiversity:
For pollinating insects such as bees, a big healthy shrub is a food source and natural protection against predators and the weather.
The quiet shelter of a shrub would also attract birds to your garden, giving them places to nest. Birds in turn help provide a healthy environment, spreading seeds and protecting against unwanted predators and insects. So if you want to increase the wildlife in your garden, it’s a good idea to get planting.
Reduce noise pollution:
Planting trees and shrubs is a highly effective way of absorbing unwanted noise coming into your garden from, for example, cars on a nearby street. Living in towns and cities with more trees and shrubbery in general would make for a quieter setting, with far less undesirable noise spilling around.
Naturally help clean the environment
We’re all familiar with the benefits that plants can in terms of cleaning the air we breathe through photosynthesis. But their roots also help to clean up chemicals and heavy metals in the soil and the groundwater. They also prevent topsoils from eroding by binding them together.
Personal wellbeing
A key byproduct of the benefits mentioned above is a positive impact on your wellbeing: a core aim of Forest of Hearts. The health of the environment and people are very much entwined, and the act of sowing and growing is essential and unique in bringing about personal achievement and community.
Types of Shrubs
Here are some stunning shrubs that you can start growing right now and look forward to flowering in the spring and summer next year:
Camellia (camellia)
How to grow:
Layer shoots outdoors in autumn.
Where:
In the shelter of other shrubs or close to a wall to lessen the danger of cold winds and frost. Grows best in light shade, but also will thrives in full sun.
Avoid chalky soil. Incorporate peat at planting time. Put mulch around the bushes with peat each spring.
Flowers:
Blooms March till May (with glossy foliage all year round)
Bushy growth, reaches 6-8ft tall.
Maintenance:
No pruning necessary
Tamarix (tamarisk)
How to grow:
Plant cuttings outdoors in autumn.
Where:
Most well-drained soils will do, but heavy clays are unsuitable
Plant in a sunny site.
A favourite in exposed, coastal areas.
Flowers:
Pale flowers appearing in May, unique and feathery.
Maintenance:
Must be pruned every year
Mock orange (Philadelphus)
How to grow:
Planting cuttings outdoors in autumn. Any reasonable garden soil will do; it can be acid or chalky. Great virtue of mock orange is that it can grow almost anywhere (poor soil, industrial smoke and salty air). Pick a sunny (best) or lightly shaded site.
Where:
Any garden soil will do. It can be acid or chalky.
Flowers:
White flowers in June and July
Maintenance:
Little maintenance required; very hardy.
Immediately after flowering cut out some of the old stems. Remove some old branches if necessary/the bush is becoming too overgrown.
Weigela (Weigela)
How to grow:
Plant cuttings outdoors in autumn
Where:
Any garden soil will work - succeeds in chalky soil.
Thrives in sun or partial shade.
Flowers:
In May and June
Maintenance:
Immediately after flowering cut back shoots with faded blooms on them.
Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
How to grow:
Plant cuttings outdoors in autumn
Where:
Prefers a sunny spot
Any garden soil as long as it’s well drained.
Flowers:
In summer
Maintenance:
Prune in spring
Lavender (Lavandula)
A favourite in English gardens for centuries.
How to grow:
Planting cuttings outdoors in autumn
Where:
Best in full sun but will grow in partial shade.
Any soil (preferably limy) provided it is well-drained.
Flowers:
Flowers appear between July and September
Maintenance:
Remove stalks when flowers fade.
Trim back in April (don’t cut into the old wood)