Gardening Tips

[Col&Ali]

As we head towards winter can anyone kindly share their gardening tips please? When should I, for example, cut back my rose and lavender?

Is there anything I can plant out to give some colour on my patio?

[COL41]

Not an experienced gardener by any stretch but I have some lovely bright yellow and purple pansies to brighten up my window boxes and will probably get some more for patio pots. They’ll last through to late spring

[ROBBOTOO]

I’ve never been very successful with winter planted things in the garden borders themselves, but in pots or baskets I’d perhaps put some of the coloured dyed heather with some pansies or violas etc, along with some small evergreen mini shrubs, ie those with berries, shiny or variegated leaves for colour.

If you put some spring bulbs in before you plant them up you get extra colour with no effort when they flower. Miniature daffodils etc are good for that.

[disney332]

My rule is to cut back when its untidy. Time of year is irrelevant and this strategy has never let me down.

Disney332

[FlorayG]

Roses cab be cut back to prevent windrock but the main pruning should be in late winter/early spring. Lavender is a bit tender you shouldn't prune it until it starts to grow again.

You could plant primulas or cyclamens for flowers in winter or hellebores ( you would need to buy bigger plants already in flower of hellebores though so more expensive)

Pansies are OK but only flower when the weather is mild, In a harsh winter you won't see flowers until March on them

[EssexSue]

My winter pansies from last year are coming back in my hanging basket.

[soooexcited!]

Cyclamen will add some winter colour to your patio.