Now we’ve had a frost we can’t put off doing something with pots and hanging baskets for the autumn and winter any longer. Now is the perfect time to get re-planting with Violas, Pansies and Primroses. To add a bit of structure to your winter containers try adding small shrubs and conifers, an ivy or two and even the odd heather or evergreen perennial such as euphorbia, heuchera or hellebores. I like to underplant mine with small flowering bulbs such as crocus or daffodils for a surprise in spring when I’ve forgotten that I’ve put them in! Don’t forget to water them, containers often don’t collect enough water on their own in the winter and to encourage tough growth and flowers try feeding with tomato food.
My favourite bedding plant at the moment is the Viola. They come in a huge array of colours and their pretty little faces cheer up the most grim winters day. Violas are surprisingly tough even when hit by a severe frost they can look a little sad early in the morning but soon perk up as the daytime temperature rises. 