Plants of the Month: November

Conifers

Our plants of the month are conifers. They can provide a focal point in the garden and bring seasonal interest, while supporting wildlife. It’s best to plant conifers over the colder months when they’re dormant, and now is a good time while the soil is still warm and autumnal rain has made the ground easier to dig.

Christmas trees are conifers, so stock up now on an outdoor spruce, fir or pine tree. Choose a dwarf variety of spruce as the centrepiece for an autumnal container that will look great at Christmas too when combined with some red or white cyclamen.

If you would like to plant a conifer in a pot, check first that the variety will suit container growing. Plant with free-draining compost. Water it during dry spells and feed monthly through the growing season.

Check the eventual size of your chosen conifer, as some will grow large, while others are

more compact. Select the right one for your space so it has room to thrive. Ask for advice in Garsons to help achieve the right growing conditions.
 

Conifers provide year-round colour, structure and elegance. The evergreen yew provides stately hedging and a backdrop to smaller plants. The Italian cypress is tall and narrow. Mediterranean varieties are drought-tolerant and need less watering during hot, dry summers. Conifers are low maintenance. Just give them a light trim if needed, unless you prefer a topiary, in which case the native yew loves to be clipped into shape.

When planting your conifer, give it a long soak first in a bucket of water. Add some slow-acting fertiliser to the planting hole to get it off to a good start. If you have heavy soil, add horticultural grit to help drainage. Give it a thick layer of mulch for a little more protection over the winter.

Make sure larger growing conifers are supported with stakes. Drive the stake in first, so you don’t damage the roots. Once planted, firm the plant in to stop it moving around. We’ve had a lot of rainfall, but remember to water newly planted conifers and keep an eye on them during dry spells.

There’s 20% off the Plant of the Month range for Garsons card holders, so stock up on conifers in November.