As the skies turn greyer and the nights draw in, December offers a gentler pace for gardeners — a chance to tidy, protect and plan ahead. Even in the chill, there’s plenty you can do to keep your garden healthy and ready for a bright spring.

Garden Clean-Up & Soil Care

• Cut down faded perennials that are looking tatty; tidy beds before winter sets in.
• Mulch around plants with garden compost to feed roots, or use bark mulch/weed-stop to suppress weeds for up to six months.

Bulbs & Planting for Spring

• If you haven’t already, get any remaining spring-flowering bulbs planted; it’s not too late yet.
• Pop in bulbs alongside wildflower mixes: come spring you’ll enjoy early colour and pollinator-friendly blooms.

Hedge Planting & Structural Additions

• Plant bare-root hedging now; the soil still holds warmth, giving roots time to settle before deep frost
• Hedging adds shelter, privacy, and structure; especially helpful in exposed sites over winter.

Frost Protection & Winter Care

• With temperatures dropping, it’s wise to keep plant fleece handy; drape over tender plants or new hedging on frosty nights.
• Make sure pots, newly planted hedges, and vulnerable shrubs are protected — frost can bite early in December.

Winter Interest & Plant Picks

• Plant of the Month: Skimmia: especially varieties like “Obsession” and “Reevesiana” with their evergreen leaves and bright berry displays. Lovely in pots at the front door or along a pathway.
• Consider evergreen climbers, hardy shrubs or winter-berrying plants for structure and interest during low-light months.
• For pots: mix evergreens with winter bedding or heathers for colour, even when the garden seems to rest.
• If you're curious about Poinsettias, we've got an article on cultivating it for the winter season

Planning & Prep

• Use this quieter month to plan your layout for next year — note where you’ll plant bulbs, veg beds or hedges.
• Store spare compost, fertilizers and mulch in a dry spot so you’re ready to go when spring returns.
• Order any bare-root trees, hedging or special plants now; December is a great time for early planting & planning.

Christmas Garden Inspiration

Want to carry the festive spirit into the garden this year? Decorating outdoors adds charm and warmth. Think festoon lights around hedges, glowing planters by the front door, and sprinkling evergreens for a seasonal touch.
It’s a lovely time to treat your garden (and yourself) to a bit of magic before the new year.

What's New At Horkans This December?

Our seasonal offers to be found in Regatta & Horkans:

And guess who's coming to town?