Seasonal diaries – Six plants on a Saturday

A heavy frost on Friday morning has shown the garden off in sparkle and shine. This week I admire some iced plants and protect my bananas in the nick of time.

A neon purple Salvia, a plucky pond plant and a cuddly cotoneaster are showing off this week. I'm also featuring a very early narcissus and a cornus ablaze with late red and orange.

I've been letting loose with secateurs this week, buying conifers and dreaming of loganberry jam.

Garden tasks don't stop winter approaches. This week I protect alpines, consider how to protect bananas and prepare for tulip planting.

Inclement weather approaches but here are some lucky plants getting ready to spend the winter under glass.

This week I'm featuring two autumn-flowering rock garden plants, a fabulous Crimson Glory Vine and a dahlia so bright you'll need shades.

Shorter days and chiller nights have set in but there are still flowers to be found in my garden and buds forming on some that'll flower over winter.

This week I've been planting miniature bulbs in pots and rockery, sorting books and deciding the future of a big Brugmansia.