November 2024 is a month for ‘hunkering down’. The clocks have gone back, and the days are becoming shorter. Although many herbaceous plants in the garden are dying down for the year, others are revealing their autumn/winter colours.
There are plenty of plants to grow to brighten the darkest and dullest November days. Here are the top ten plants for November:
1. Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Dogwood)
There are many different types of coloured stem dogwood to choose from, and this is one of the brightest. It reveals striking, orange, red and yellow bare stems as the leaves drop in the autumn. To get the best stem colour, plant in full sun and leave the plant unpruned the first year after planting.
The following spring, cut all stems to within just 5cm of the ground. This will encourage brightly coloured growth from the new stems the following autumn.
- Flowers from June. Coloured stems from autumn until spring
- Hardy
- Grows to 200cm tall and 200cm wide
- Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Full sun part shade
- Exposed
2. Euonymus alatus (Burning bush)
Autumn is the time of year when this shrub comes into its own as its leaves turn from green to bright pink-red. The leaves then fall and purple-red fruit with bright orange seeds appear. Furthermore, it needs only minimal pruning, removing dead or diseased branches in early spring.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 240cm tall and 240cm wide
- Moist but well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
3. Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ (Beauty berry)
The bright violet berries are sure to be a talking point if you plant this easy-to-maintain shrub in your garden. Additional benefits are young leaves coloured bronze-purple appearing in spring and small pink flowers in midsummer. Berry-laden cut branches make wonderful November 2024 flower arrangements.
- Flowers from July
- Hardy
- Grows to 300cm tall and 250cm wide
- Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Full sun part shade
- Exposed
4. Helleborus niger HGC ‘Wintergold’ (Hellebore)
This long-flowering, low-growing beauty is one of the earliest hellebores to burst into flower at the end of this month. It has the added advantage of upward-facing flowers, with white blooms contrasting beautifully with the plant’s dark green leaves. It’s also a great plant for helping and attracting pollinators.
- Flowers from November to April
- Hardy
- Grows to 50cm tall and 50cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Part shade
- Exposed
5. Chrysanthemum ‘Jolie Rosie’ (Hardy chrysanthemum)
Hardy chrysanthemums are seeing something of a revival as their flowering period coincides with dahlias and asters. Plus, they can withstand colder temperatures and flower for weeks on end. ‘Jolie Rose’ produces a profusion of pretty, pink, semi-double flowers with a white ring in the centre of each bloom. It’s a more upright, sturdy variety than some and should continue to flower late into November 2024.
- Flowers from October to November
- Hardy
- Grows to 70cm tall and 50cm wide
- Well-drained, fertile soil
- Full sun part shade
- Exposed
6. Lonicera ‘Winter Beauty’ (Winter-flowering honeysuckle)
The delicate, sweet scent that carries on the air from the pretty, creamy-white flowers of this easy-to-grow shrub, is delightful. It should continue flowering on and off right the way through the winger and into spring the following year.
- Flowers from November to March
- Hardy
- Grows to 200cm tall and 250cm wide
- Moist, well-drained, fertile soil
- Full sun or part shade
- Exposed
7. Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ (Arrow wood)
This is another scented, winter flowering shrub that delights with its profusion of pretty pink flowers. Purple berries are produced during the summer months and the leaves turn maroon-red before dropping in the autumn. Therefore giving this shrub three seasons of interest.
- Flowers October to March
- Hardy
- Grows to 250cm tall and 150cm wide
- Fertile, well-drained, moist soil
- Full sun part shade
- Exposed
8. Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens ‘Freckles’ (Clematis)
As easy to grow, winter flowering clematis that requires no regular pruning is an asset to any garden. ‘Freckles’ produces deep maroon speckled flowers that dangle daintily in the breeze from November 2024 right the way through to spring. Furthermore, it is evergreen. Bury the plant deep when planting.
- Flowers from November to March
- Hardy
- Grows to 450cm tall and 100cm wide
- Well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
9. Rosa moyesii ‘Geranium’ (Rose)
The flowers on this rose are produced in July. However, the strikingly handsome, large hips colour up and cascade along the length of the branches at this time of year. This makes for a striking feature that also benefits wildlife.
- Flowers July
- Hardy
- Grows to 250cm tall and 120cm wide
- Fertile, moisture-retentive soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
10. Sternbergia lutes (Autumn daffodil)
Often mistaken for a crocus, thanks to the similar deep yellow, globe-shaped flowers, this bulb flowers early to late autumn.
Left alone and planted in free-draining soil in full sun, they should happily clump and multiply with little attention.
- Flowers from September to November
- Hardy
- Grows to 15cm tall and 10cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
Find out the best fruit to grow this November 2024:
Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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