We love December

The last month of the year: another four seasons over and they have been a bit of a rollercoaster (not just horticulturally).

One good thing about having a garden is that every year the slate is wiped clean and we get to do it all again: ideally we don’t make the same mistakes twice and our triumphs still make us happy. Meantime, smile as you are forced to listen to Mariah Carey (again) and when someone insists on watching Love Actually for the seven thousandth time. Soon you will be back in the garden with a heart full of joy and a barrow full of promise. WORDS JAMES ALEXANDER-SINCLAIR

STAR OF THE MONTH

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’

You will remember this plant with fondness. Back in about July, the sun shone down and it was a picture of pink perfection with petals draped like silken scarves on the golden shoulders of princesses. Those petals have now long since returned to compost but we are left with these delicious central bosses: as firm as doorknobs and knubbled with frost.

Here, in one picture, is the reason why we should let our perennials stand for as long as possible. I have a golden rule: if it looks horrible, cut it down. If it still looks good, leave it be. This one can stay.

Purple coneflower. Attracts bees, birds, butterflies and moths. Take root cuttings in autumn or spring. Height x Spread 75cm x 50cm

MYRTLES, NOT TURTLES