There are not many new winter bedding plants that come along to join the usual parade of pansies, primroses, double daises, forget-me-nots and wallflowers, and the ornamental cabbage and kale have been notable arrivals.

These plants were first bred in Japan where they are known as leaf peonies, which is a bit fanciful, even though the shape of some kinds is rather like the broad petals of peonies. Ornamental cabbage does not sound so good either, but they are becoming better known each year. In Japan, these plants are sometimes produced at the top of an extended stem and used as cut flowers.

These varieties of cabbage and kale have an unusual property – after the onset of cool weather in autumn, the central leaves begin to change colour and take on purple hues, pale and dark, or creamy white. These then grow out to become more noticeable as autumn progresses into winter when they are at their best.

They last all through winter and hold their colour right through the cold and rain. Even frost, unless it is very severe, does no harm. Some people prefer the cabbage form which has broad, cupped, undivided leaves, although they may frill along the edges.

The kales have narrower leaves, usually divided into narrow strips and give a more feathery look.

The colour purple is very scarce in the winter garden and these cabbages are a great addition. Purple is a warm colour and takes the freezing look off a bed, border or containers – and it doesn’t take many plants to achieve this, even a few here and there are enough.

Funnily, the creamy white kind, which is a bit anaemic on its own, seems to set off the purple to perfection and they are usually grown together.

The size and presence of these plants is a great asset – they fill space instantly and make containers, pots or beds look good rightaway, while the more traditional spring bedding plants are usually still small at that stage and still need to make some growth in mild spells over winter and from early spring.

At that stage, the ornamental cabbages and kales begin to look a bit tired, and soon the central leaves begin to push out and a flower stem is produced. Unfortunately, this is not very attractive, being just like a cabbage gone to seed with a scrawny stem of small yellow flowers. Like all cabbages, these are biennials that make a rosette of leaves one year and flower the next, and are then discarded.

While the plants are readily available to buy in garden centres in autumn and winter, they can also be grown from seeds. Many of the seed houses now stock this flower, both cabbage and kales, in purple and white. Most seed mixtures have both white and purple kinds, but separate colours can be bought too.

Tokyo Mixed has white and purple and intermediate pink-purple kinds. The seeds are sown in April, two seeds to a cell in a cell tray, or in small pots, and reduced to the stronger of the two. They can be started in a greenhouse or indoors and grown on outside once hardened off.

The seedlings are potted into bigger pots as needed and eventually into their winter setting, or they can be kept in pots until needed.

Watch for the white butterfly caterpillar attacking them because these are still cabbages. CL

Early wallflowers

Many people have noticed that wall flowers started to bloom at the end of November. This is due to the exceptionally good summer and autumn weather.

It is not unusual in any year for a well-advanced young wallflower plant to produce an early flower or two, especially if the seeds were sown too early in spring. However, it is most unusual to see flowering on wallflowers on such a scale. But this will soon halt and then resume in spring when the milder weather returns.

Although usually grown as bedding plants to be discarded after use, wallflowers are short-lived perennials, almost small shrubs. When they are grown in very dry conditions, such as the crumbling lime mortar of an old wall, they can last for many years, but they fade out quickly in heavy soil.

The old plants are inclined to flowering too, and there are some new kinds that have been selected for early flowering and these have begun to appear in garden centres. This week

Trees, shrubs & roses

Planting is best done during dry weather. Do not plant into heavy, wet ground or into planting holes that are filled with water. Wet conditions can cause the roots to rot. Check that young trees are securely staked. Newly-planted shrubs that are loose in the ground may need staking.

Flowers

Wallflowers, pansies and bachelors buttons could still be planted, especially if they are available in pots. Small plants are not worth planting as they will not make enough growth. If not already done, lift dahlias, begonias and gladiolus in frosty localities to prevent damage, or cover them with soil.

Lawns

If the lawn is mossy, apply sulphate of iron. Moss will grow vigorously in the coming months and can build up to competitive levels. If the soil is firm, a mowing is a good idea to remove late grass-growth. Grass tends to grow a little over winter and an occasional mowing will keep it neat.

Greenhouse & house plants

A greenhouse frost protection heater will save tender plants on a frosty night. A small electric heater is cheap to buy and run. Remove all debris and dead plants and ventilate occasionally. Water very little to reduce the risk of grey mould disease.

Fruit & vegetables

Plant new fruit trees and bushes. Control weeds around established fruit trees and bushes. Prune fruit trees and bushes now. Dig over vegetable ground, removing old crops. Control weeds over areas of ground that will be dug over later. Spread compost before digging it in.