Iris foetidissima

 

 

 

 

When other irises in the garden are long forgotten, this evergreen perennial looks its best. The fat, green seed-pods split open to reveal bright orange seeds that bring colour to even the darkest corner and last for many weeks. This plant loves shade and is easy to grow in any soil.

Roses

Prune down tall-growing bush roses by about a half to help prevent wind-rock loosening and damaging their roots and shorten all the branches on standard roses. Plant bare-rooted rose bushes this month.

Shrubs

This is a good time to move evergreens and large shrubs that have outgrown their current position. Try to lift them with as large a rootball as possible and tie them to stakes for extra stability.

Planting bulbs

If you have not already planted prepared hyacinths in glasses in time for Christmas, <PLANTID=5186>Narcissus papyraceus</PLANTID> will come to the rescue, flowering in under six weeks if potted now.

Cuttings

Taking hardwood cuttings now from a wide range of shrubs, including deutzia, wisteria, dogwood and Virginia creeper.