Alan Titchmarsh has shared his recommended flowers to plant in October for winter blooms lasting from December through to spring, urging gardeners to take advantage of mild conditions while "temperatures are still warm and the ground is still pliable."
Recommended Plants for Winter Colour
In a video on his YouTube channel, the gardener, author, and broadcaster suggested three specific plants: winter-flowering heathers, winter-flowering pansies, and hellebores. He advised planting heathers, using the 'Beauty Queen' variety as an example, in lime-free soil, placing "three of them 18 in apart" to create a "thick rug running through your border."
For containers, he recommended winter-flowering pansies, noting they "come in a range of cheery colors, and they'll flower on right through to spring." He stressed the importance of planting them early enough to establish roots before the ground becomes too cold, using pots with drainage holes, a layer of gravel or crocks, and fresh, peat-free multi-purpose compost blended with around 20% grit or perlite, spacing plants 10 to 15 cm apart.
Planting Tips for Hellebores
Titchmarsh also highlighted hellebores, a hardy evergreen perennial, showcasing the Ice N' Roses variety. He said they "grow in any half-decent soil, and they love to be planted in dappled shade around trees and shrubs," adding they "keep on flowering right through the spring." Unlike conventional hellebores, Ice 'n' Roses varieties thrive in partial shade to full sun.
When planting, position the plant so the top of the root ball sits lightly covered with soil, leaving roughly 35 to 45 cm between plants. Create a small circular ridge of soil around the hole to retain water, then water thoroughly.
