Some gardeners have been picking Chrysanthemums and Dahlias for the house until this last week or so. But strong winds, lashing rain and frost are taking their toll, and I for one have picked my final Chrysanthemums for 2025.As its been my first year growing them in this garden at Spitfires and Slow Worms, I feel that is a reasonable achievement, especially thinking back to those summer heatwaves!
But now my thoughts and nose are turning to the seasonal scents of Mahonia and Sarcococca. I quite literally discovered both of these shrubs when clearing borders as they hadnt previously been visible!
Spitfires and Slow Worms – a tale of two plants
The Mahonia was squashed under those 45’ high Leylandii that made a tunnel out of the main path. It was so straggly I had to cut it back hard but last year and this it’s shown me that was the right thing to do. Lush, large, spiky holly type leaves and huge sprays of butter yellow fragrant flowers for months from early November are my reward. Given its colour, size and flowering period, it’s definitely Mahonia x media, as that also fits in with what I’ve learnt so far of the garden’s history. The hybrid was developed in the 1950s at the Slieve Donard Nursery in Northern Ireland from Mahonia japonica and Mahonia lomariifolia. But its not currently behaving like any one cultivar so I’m waiting for it to settle down before deciding!
Sarcococca has the common names of sweet box and Christmas box, and it is related to our native box, or Buxus. This one was hidden under a canopy of Ash, Oak, Holly (all self-sown saplings) a couple of Cupressus and lots of Ivy! The trees all had to be cut down and taken out as they were damaging a high flint drystone wall – which was how we discovered the Sarcococca. This was again planted many years ago as it’s fully grown, and, being a S. hookeriana had lots of suckers too (free plants 😉) You hardly see the small white flowers, but boy oh boy do you appreciate the glorious far-reaching scent!
To see and read about the garden renovation, check out website page Spitfires & Slow Worms or find & follow on Instagram or Facebook
Gardening tip for the busy and absent-minded gardener (like me)
Mahonia and Sarcococca are both winter hardy, but now might be a good time to double check that your more tender plants are protected with hessian, fleece or taken under cover before frosty mornings become the norm.
And for more topical gardening tips read on…
3 Gardening Tasks for December
- If you’re giving your compost heap a last turn before the frosts, check for hibernating frogs, toads, hedgehogs and other animals who may have been attracted by the warmth. In other words, put your fork or spade in carefully! For tips on compost turning, check out our video
- There’s still time to plant spring flowering bulbs before Christmas if the soil isn’t frozen or a total muddy mess. Alternatively, plant the bulbs in pots which you can either keep like that or drop the pots in to the border. Add some colourful winter bedding on top to cheer yourself up in the short winter days. (and possibly keep the squirrels and mice from digging!)
- Christmas Trees If you’re still wondering how to avoid needle drop on your carpet, have a read of How to Choose Your Real Christmas Tree with the pros and cons so you can choose the best species of tree to suit you. You may also like our tips on Caring for your cut Christmas Tree (and find out why Christmas Trees are like cut flowers).
Gardening Tasks for December – extra
Check over your greenhouse and garden fencing now that the winter storms have arrived. Tips are in Making your Greenhouse ready for Winter With fences look for warped panels and especially check the posts for signs of rotting and instability. There are some garden fence tips here in case you need new.
Gardening Workshops in Marie’s Garden
Small group workshops so you get plenty of attention. Choose from a morning or afternoon slot, on either a weekend or weekday. There are a range of topics, some seasonal, for example –
- Garden Planning for 2026
- How to Start a Vegetable Garden: What to Grow, Where & How to Grow It
- Seed sowing – how to check the seeds will germinate (viability), growing media, and when to sow what.
- The basics of vegetable growing – the different types of veggie families, where to grow them & cultivation methods explained.
- How to Prune – tips and practical teaching
See Plews Gardening Workshops for more details or head to Eventbrite to book your place
With a mix of practical, hands on demonstration and guided practice, you’ll go home with more gardening knowledge and something to grow on in your own garden.
Prices from £25 – £53 depending on length & materials provided, includes tea / coffee on arrival & Eventbrite booking fee. There are also Earlybird offers
Location is Biggin Hill / Westerham (just inside M25). NB there are steps as the garden is on a hill
Gardens to visit in December
The National Botanic Garden of Wales has trees valued for their beautiful winter bark – silver birch and snake bark maple in particular; and a large glasshouse in case it starts raining or snowing! And the Sir Harol Hillier gardens has a whole winter garden to inspire you.
Many gardens have winter light displays – these can be quite magical, and may offer an opportunity to see the garden at dusk if you go in earlier in the afternoon. I particularly like Christmas light displays among tree collections where the arboriculture is intrinsic to the experience. Btw Bedgebury National Pinetum in Kent is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year.
There are plenty of Gardening Visits to look at in Plews Potting Shed blog if you need ideas of where to go – arranged geographically for your convenience 😉
Garden Talks
Are you the person who organises talks for your local gardening club, WI, U3A, history society, or general club?
Have a look at the Talks page to see if Marie’s wide ranging garden related topics might interest you and your members. Recent ones given include Planting for Shady Front Gardens Trees for Small Gardens, and Record keeping – how necessary is it for most gardeners?
Attending one of Marie’s gardening talks is more than just sitting in a chair and being spoken to. It’s a learning experience and an inspirational journey. She brings her vast knowledge to life with captivating stories, simple explanations and demonstrations.
Would you like more gardening tips, garden design ideas and seasonal gardens to visit?
Why not check out our gardening blog articles on a range of topics in Plews Potting Shed?
Marie’s writing has achieved Plews Potting Shed’s standing as it’s in the Top Ten Garden Design blogs and Top Thirty Gardening blogs by Feedspot and she has previously been shortlisted in the prestigious Garden Media Guild Awards.
Recent blogs include Christmas Wreaths, a brief History; Celebrating Trees; Finding Your Ideal Garden Shed.
A wide range of topics so there’s sure to be one that appeals to you!
“interesting even if you have no intention of picking up a spade”
Thanks Tim, who is a regular reader if a reluctant gardener!
comes with the planting list and link to the blog
Gardening printables for you
A range of free downloadable and printable PDFs on seasonal gardening, garden history snippets, vegetable gardening, garden design, themed planting lists for inspiration, garden planning, record keeping for you and your garden. For example, Flowers called Elizabeth comes complete with a planting list and link to the blog for extra info.
Plews Gardening eBooks for You
Available to purchase from Plews (via PayPal); safe download directly from the website and also from Amazon and Kindle library
It’s the time of year when many gardeners think about composting -(must be all those fallen leaves!) Why not treat yourself to Marie’s “Compost and Composting” eBook?
This composting book is for those gardeners who: –
- have tried to compost in the past to feel re-assured that they can still succeed
- would like to have a go at composting in their garden but are not sure where to start
“Witty, entertaining and informative”
(Amazon review)
Gardening Gift Vouchers
As its December, I feel we can mention Christmas! Gardening Gift Vouchers are available to purchase for all our services, including Gardening Lessons and Gardening Workshops. Whether you want to use these for Christmas presents for gardeners or as a hint to others for yourself they’re a great choice.
Happy Winter Gardening!
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