Plant this
If you need evergreen, flowering groundcover for shade, big blue lilyturf is a godsend. Liriope muscari flowers from midsummer to November, with spikes of deep blue or purple rising from strappy foliage (height and spread 30cm x 30cm). Likes acid or neutral soil in partial or full shade. For particularly fine flowers choose ‘Royal Purple’ or ‘Monroe White’.
Consider this
Now the dahlia dilemma kicks in: lift tubers, or leave in situ and mulch like mad? The latter is simpler, but tubers may rot if the soil’s heavy or the winter’s harsh. If lifting, cut the leaves back to leave 10-20cm of stem. Lift tubers, let them dry, shake off soil, then pack in dry sand or compost with the crown exposed and store somewhere cool but frost-free. If mulching, add a 15cm-plus layer of compost or bark and cross your fingers.
Visit this
Cambridge University Botanic Garden plays host to the International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing winning images from its 10-year history. The fiery foliage of sweetgums, acers and smokebushes should provide a dramatic backdrop. Until 21 December; details at botanic.cam.ac.uk.
