Clear those tubs this month

Tubs can be cleared of summer-flowering plants this month and can be planted with biennials and bulbs for a gorgeous display of spring colour.

Ornamental cabbages are also good plants for winter colour, with attractively shaped heads of white, green or purple foliage.

There are also lots of colourful evergreens suitable for containers that will really cheer up your patio for the winter.

Good ones include Euonymus japonicus varieties like ‘Marieke’ and ‘Aureopictus’ with green and gold leaves.

Variegated box (Buxus) like ‘Elegantissima’, ‘Gold Tip’ and ‘Aurea Marginata’ can be clipped into attractive balls or pyramids.

Dwarf conifers are available in loads of shapes and colours, and they really come into their own in winter when they give the garden some much-needed structure.