Winter is in full swing and although gardening might not be top of your Christmas list, December is a surprisingly important month for keeping your garden thriving and ready for the year ahead. At Hilltop Garden Centre, we love helping you make the most of your outdoor space, even during the chilly winter months. Here’s our guide to gardening jobs, advice, and seasonal planting inspiration for December.
What to Plant This Month
December is the perfect time to plant hardy bare-root roses and other plants and shrubs. Cooler soil temperatures encourages strong root development before the growing season kicks off in spring.
Plant Helleborus Niger (Christmas Rose)
December’s plant of the month at Hilltop is the beautiful Helleborus Niger, also known as the Christmas Rose. Its gleaming white blooms and striking yellow stamens brighten up any garden during the darkest days of winter. These hardy perennials thrive in partially shaded spots and prefer rich, well-draining soil.
For the best results, plant them using Rocket Gro Multi-Purpose Compost with Added John Innes — available in-store at £6.99 a bag or get 2 for £13. They’re perfect for adding winter interest to your borders or container displays, and they make an excellent festive gift for gardeners.
Plant Bare Root Roses
Bare root roses are ideal for adding colour and fragrance to your garden next year, and December is the perfect time to plant them - they are in their natural dormant state and will establish strong roots before spring growth. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots. Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil. Position the rose so the graft union sits just above ground level. Backfill with soil, firm gently, and water well. Mulch around the base to protect against frost. Choose from our selection at Hilltop to find the perfect rose for your garden.
Deciduous Shrubs and Ornamental Trees
December is also a great time to plant deciduous shrubs and ornamental trees, as they’re dormant and can focus on root development. As a general rule, (although this will depend on the shrub or tree you have decided to plant, so please read the planting instructions on each individual label) start by choosing a well-drained spot with plenty of sunlight. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and enrich the soil with compost or organic matter. Position the plant so the top of the roots sits level with the soil surface, then backfill and firm gently. Water thoroughly and mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect from frost. Planting now ensures they establish well before the warmer months.
Pruning Jobs in December
Winter pruning helps plants maintain their shape and promotes healthy growth. Here's what you need to prune this month:
- Climbing Roses: Prune them back to encourage fresh blooms next year. Remove dead or weak stems and tie in the strongest shoots.
- Overgrown Hedges and Shrubs: Now’s the time to give them a trim, ensuring they don’t get damaged by heavy snow or winter winds.
- Fruit Trees: Prune large fruit trees like apples and pears now, to maintain their shape, manage their size, and boost their fruiting productivity for next year.
Pop into our garden centre in Essex for advice on the right tools and techniques for winter pruning.
Growing Your Own?
December may not be a planting month for most vegetables, but there’s still plenty to do to prepare for a productive growing season:
- Check on Winter Veg: Keep an eye on leeks, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts, and harvest as needed (perhaps in time for use in your Christmas dinner!). Mulch around plants using straw to protect their roots from freezing temperatures.
- Rhubarb: Split oversized rhubarb crowns, transplanting the healthier outer pieces into nutrient-rich soil improved with well-rotted manure.
- Plan ahead: Start thinking about what you'd like to grow next year!
General Garden Jobs
A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your garden healthy throughout winter. Here’s a handy checklist for December:
- Protect Outside Taps: Insulate outdoor taps with a frost jacket or wrap them in bubble wrap to prevent freezing.
- Protect Frost-Sensitive Plants: Cover tender plants like fuchsias, pelargoniums, and agapanthus with horticultural fleece or move them to a sheltered area, such as a greenhouse or cold frame.
- Clear Fallen Leaves: Regularly remove leaves from lawns and flower beds to prevent the spread of disease. Compost the leaves to produce nutrient-rich garden feed.
- Protect Pots from Frost: Terracotta pots are prone to cracking in frosty weather. Lift them off the ground with pot feet or place them on wooden slats to improve drainage and reduce the risk of freezing. Wrapping pots in bubble wrap or hessian also helps.
- Organise Your Shed: Use this quieter gardening month to tidy tools and restock essentials such as garden string and plant feed. If you’re missing anything, Hilltop’s well-stocked shop has everything you need.
- Secure Trees and Structures: Check tree ties and stakes to ensure they’re sturdy enough to withstand winter winds.
- Feed the Birds: Help wildlife this winter by hanging fat balls in your garden, filling feeders with bird seed, and keeping the bird bath clean. This December, you can buy one pack of our Superior Nut & Seed Fat Balls for birds and get another pack free! Birds are natural pest controllers and will repay your kindness come spring.
Make Your Home Festive
Bring a touch of the festive spirit to your home by decorating with poinsettias, festive wreaths, and indoor planted arrangements. Poinsettias, with their bold red and green leaves, are classic Christmas staples. Position them in a bright spot away from drafts and keep their soil slightly moist — but don’t let them sit in water.
Hilltop’s selection of indoor planted arrangements features everything from miniature cyclamen to ivy, all arranged in decorative baskets that make perfect centrepieces (and gifts!). And don't forget to give visitors to your home a taste of what's inside, by decorating your front door with a festive wreath - we have a wide selection available now at Hilltop.
Visit Hilltop Garden Centre This December
At Hilltop, we’re here to make your gardening as rewarding as possible. Whether you’re picking up a Helleborus Niger, bare root roses, or stocking up on compost for winter planting, our team is ready to help.
After ticking off your gardening jobs, why not treat yourself to a hot drink and slice of cake in our welcoming cafe? There’s no better way to warm up and relax after a productive day in a chilly garden.
Pop in today and see why Hilltop is the garden centre Clacton-on-Sea residents rely on for friendly advice, quality products, and a warm and friendly welcome.