November is a month when gardening eases off and many herbaceous perennial and annual plants have died down for the year. Despite this there are still plenty of trees, shrubs and other perennials providing colour and interest and here are ten of the best:
1. Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemerias are hardy perennial plants originating from South America that are covered in brightly coloured flowers for months on end during the summer into the autumn. They often flower until the first frosts! Their long-lasting blooms make them very popular with flower arrangers. ‘Indian Summer’ has orange-yellow flowers with dark markings on the inner petals. And looks wonderful in either a hot-themed or as a contrast to a dark colour border. It’s best to give them a protective mulch covering over winter, especially during the first year of planting.
- Flowers from June to November
- Hardy
- Grows to 75cm tall and 60cm wide
- Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
- Prefers full sun
- Sheltered
2. Chrysanthemum ‘Spartan Fire’ (Hardy Chrysanthemum)
Hardy chrysanthemums are a great addition to the autumn border most of which will continue to flower until the first frosts. ’Spartan Fire’ has vibrant, fiery red flowers with yellow tips to the edges. And, unlike many hardy chrysanthemums, has a neat, compact habit.
- Flowers from November to December
- Hardy
- Grows to 90cm tall and 60cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Prefers full sun
- Exposed
This dense, evergreen shrub creates year-round interest and looks particularly good sited in part-shade where its oval, glossy leaves can brighten up a dull corner at any time of the year. They also have the bonus of scented, bright white flowers appearing in the spring. It can become a much-frequented haunt for nesting birds too.
- Flowers from February to April
- Hardy
- Grows to 300cm tall and 300cm wide
- Well-drained, moist, fertile soil
- Full sun to full shade
- Exposed
4. Acer giseum (Paperbark Maple)
This slow-growing, medium-height tree has wonderful cinnamon-coloured bark that peels away naturally from the tree’s stem for year-round interest. The leaves turn gorgeous shades of scarlet and orange during the autumn months. For maximum interest at all times of the year plant it in full view of the house. This adds some lovely seasonal colour to your November garden.
- Flowers from November to December
- Hardy
- Grows to 10m tall and 10m wide
- Well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil
- Prefers full or part shade
- Exposed
5. Coronilla valentina subsp. glauca ‘Citrina’ (Scorpion vetch)
Another evergreen shrub for year-round interest with delicate, small leaves and widely spaced, slightly contorted branches. As summer fades this shrub starts flowering, initially producing occasional pretty, scented, pale lemon flowers. And then, come late winter, a second flush of flowers occurs. Do make sure it’s planted in a sunny, sheltered position as these plants are not totally hardy.
- Flowers sporadically from November to April
- Tender
- Grows to 100cm tall and 100cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
6. Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’ (Japanese Onion)
This perennial allium has edible, grass-like leaves which taste good in soup. It also produces masses of rose-purple flowers in late autumn and looks just as good at the front of the flower border as it does grow in a container or veg plot.
- Flowers from October to November
- Hardy
- Grows to 100cm tall and 60cm wide
- Well-drained, fertile soil
- Will grow in full sun or part shade
- Exposed
7. Abelia x grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ (Glossy Abelia)
Another useful shrub that is evergreen in warmer parts of the country and produces masses of small, scented, pink-flushed flowers on arching branches from summer until late autumn. However, in this case, it’s the unusual bi-coloured foliage that attracts the most attention. Being bright yellow and green in spring and turning to deep shades of orange and red come this time of the year.
- Flowers from July to November
- Borderline hardy
- Grows to 150cm tall and 150cm wide
- Well-drained, fertile soil
- Prefers full sun
- Sheltered
8. Nerine bowdenii (Bowden lily)
Just when you think all the bright colour has gone out of the garden along comes the lovely Nerine! Although this is quite a hardy plant it still pays to plant in a sheltered position, ideally at the base of a sunny wall without too many other plants around it. One particularly striking cultivar is Nerine bowdenii ‘Mr Nick’. He brings with him a splash of deep cerise pink colour on large flower heads and is also perfect for growing in containers. Similarly bright, is Nerine bowdenii ‘Mr John’, another glowing shade of pink which really draws attention in the garden.
- Flowers September to November
- Tender
- Grows to 60cm tall and 25cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Prefers full sun
- Sheltered
9. Hesperantha coccinea ‘Major’ (Crimson flag lily)
It’s great to have flowers in November and the flowers on this clump-forming, semi-evergreen crimson flag lily will give you a burst of pink-red colour just as most other flowering plants are dying down for the year. The flowers appear at the top of upright flower spikes shaped rather like crocus flowers. They make great cut flowers too.
- Flowers from September to November
- Hardy
- Grows to 30cm tall and 15cm wide
- Fertile, moist, soil
- Prefers full sun
- Sheltered
10. Cyclamen hederifolium (Ivy-leaved cyclamen)
The wonderful thing about cyclamen hederifolium is that they provide two different seasons of interest. Dainty colour flowers in varying shades of pink and white in the autumn months followed by pretty leaves in the spring, the patterns of which can vary from plant to plant. They look wonderful planted en masse under or around trees and will happily clump up and self-seed once established. A great addition to a November garden.
- Flowers from September to November
- Hardy
- Grows to 15cm tall and 15cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Prefers full or part shade
- Sheltered
This November, make sure your garden looks bright and inviting with these plant recommendations.
Find out the best veg to grow this month:
Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
Leave A Comment