Autumn Planting
There are lots of good reasons to plant in autumn and, in Bristol, October-to-December is ideal with plenty of rain and mild temperatures. We have plants that provide winter interest for flower beds or containers, plants that will flower in spring provided they are planted by the previous autumn, plants that will be larger with more flowers in spring if planted in autumn, plants that will cope better with spring/summer droughts if planted in the previous autumn, and wildflowers that naturally germinate and start to grow in autumn.
Water-wise gardening
Plant these wildflowers and garden varieties now so their roots can get established before spring. We have selected plants that are fully hardy, relatively slug-tolerant, semi-evergreen and/or woody (making it easier to remember where they were planted!), that will cope with our local clay soil (but see below for plants that can handle spots that get water-logged).
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This first group of plants need to be planted in autumn either to guarantee they will flower next spring (e.g. foxgloves), to ensure they reach full size in spring (e.g. honesty), or because they have tap roots that mean they need to go out as soon as possible (e.g. evening primrose). They all cope with clay soils over winter but see the last section for plants that can handle spots that get water-logged. The plants in this first group are also NOW ON SALE!
Plant in autumn to guarantee flowers in spring
Winter interest for containers
All of these plants will do well in pots over winter but make sure the pots don't get water-logged. They are all evergreen and the pansies will flower between cold snaps
Winter interest for our local clayey soils
This second group of plants all provide winter interest because they are evergreen with attractive foliage or because they flower very early in the year. They all cope with clay soils over winter but see the last section for plants that can handle spots that get water-logged.
Plants for spots that get waterlogged over winter
These plants can handle a spot that gets water-logged over winter. Some require a damp soil all year round while others will also flourish in a drier soil. This selection includes plants that prefer sun and plants that prefer shade. To find out more about planting a bog garden, check out our blog!.
