We love November

The pumpkins of Halloween are now just sadly decomposing memories on doorsteps across the land, and the spirit of Christmas though looming and quite apparent In our supermarket aisles) is not yet at full volume. This is a restful month where the first cold spells will come to dislodge the last of the autumn colour, and we can tuck it neatly away to make compost and leafmould for next season. It is still warm enough for comfortable gardening, yet the weeds have stopped growing and our lawns have settled into winter. Enjoy the quiet it won't last long!

- JAMES ALEXANDER-SINCLAIR

STAR OF THE MONTH

Cornus kousa

We all know and love dogwoods for their spectacular bracts earlier in the season. In old films you can sometimes see behatted and bustled ladies bidding farewell to departing troops/children/lovers by waving their delicately laced handkerchiefs as the train pulls out or the carriage rattles away. That is what a cornus in flower looks like a flutter of white as the spring breezes blow.

At this time of year, the naturally hanging leaves begin to gather a touch of burgundy and soon they will fall, their job done until next year.

The tree tends to look thirsty in summer because of the droopy leaves. Shelter from winds and do not overwater. Height x Spread 7m x 5m

OLD YELLER