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In this pot design, the graceful astelia and black ophiopogon add structure, while a small-flowered blue pansy or viola unites the blue pot and the plants.September - NovemberOctober - March30 minutesOphiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' x2Astelia

. Line the front with trailing ivy plants, as a foil for the flowers rising above it.AdamRemove the pansy flowers as they fade, which will encourage the plants to produce more blooms, instead of diverting energy into making seeds.More advice on growing

This colourful display of bronze-coloured foliage, orange flowers and the red berries of the skimmia will warm up any cold or dull winter's day. You can vary the colours with other varieties of phormium, heuchera and pansy if you prefer, but all

and ornamental cabbage.Growing pansies for winter colour.

- OctoberMarch20 minutesHair grass (Deschampsia)Thyme plants x2Small euonymus plants x2Pansy plants x2Curry plants x2Ivy plants x2Large window boxMulti-purpose compostCrocksPosition the window box where you want it, place a layer of crocks at the bottom

and pansies.Primula container.Woodland plant container.Window box of hair grass, thyme, curry plants and pansies.Spring window box.

Deadhead winter-flowering pansies and bedding plants, and pick off damaged leavesDivide congested herbaceous perennialsPrune winter jasmine to cut back flowered shootsTransplant shrubs growing in the wrong place while they're dormantPlant lily

Take cuttings from pansies and violas Pot up tender perennials grown outside and bring under cover when cold nights are forecastPrune rambling roses after floweringGrow bulbs in aquatic baskets ready to drop into gaps in the border in spring

Buy pansies and other winter bedding plug plants to grow on under coverDamp down the greenhouse floor every morning on hot daysWater plants in pots and growing bags every morning, and again at night if necessaryAdd liquid feed to at least one

Plant bare-root roses in well-prepared groundTrim away unwanted suckers growing around the base of treesClear borders and rake up leaves before bulbs start poking through the groundDig over gaps in borders, taking time to pick out roots of perennial