Mid November and we’re yet to have a frost. There’s colder weather on the way next week, but still looking like it should stay above freezing. Which is just as well since my winter preparedness is about as low as it’s ever been. That said, one of the forecasts I use is showing below zero temperatures and snow for next Wednesday and Thursday. I’m banking on it being wrong.
I’ve had to scrape a bit lower down the barrel for this week’s six, but there are still things in flower, just. Inevitably, most of the things in flower have already been in earlier sixes and I prefer not to do repetitions if I can help it, so four of my six are not about flowers.
Please join us on Six on Saturday if you can scrape together six “things” from your garden. They don’t have to be flowers or even plants, just garden related and potentially interesting to a diverse group of gardeners. There’s a participants guide if you’re tempted.
Right, in the words of one of our regulars, let’s shake a leg.
One.
Podochaenium eminens is a plant that I grow for its enormous leaves. It will never flower outdoors for me, not flowering on current season’s growth and being far too tender to survive winter outside. Last year it died completely even with the protection I gave it but fortunately I had managed to root a couple of cuttings in the autumn which I planted out in spring. This week I’ve taken cuttings again and am hoping I can have a repeat performance. I won’t try to protect the parent plants, if they die, they die. The banana behind it sailed through last winter unprotected and will hopefully do the same again.
Two.
On the subject of bananas, my Ensete ventricosa ‘Maurellii’ survived last winter in its pot in the conservatory, as did the begonias planted around it. It’s a lot bigger this year and I’ve so far wussed out of humping it the length of the garden to put it under cover. It’s leaves are collapsing now, so I’ll cut them off in the hope it will look less daunting.
Three.
My favourite grass species is without doubt Hakonechloa macra and I have several varieties. One of their great merits is that they turn straw coloured around about now and can stand until the end of February, providing over three months of colour when it is most appreciated, and brightest when it is dull and the light bluest and when its foliage is wet. The best of them is H. macra ‘Albostriata’, which has the richest straw colour and stands up to winter better than any of the others.
Four.
I do like to grow new things. I’m not alone in that, garden centres, indeed retail outlets of all sorts, know the selling power of a sign screaming NEW!! In a somewhat more measured vein I placed a small order with Growild for seeds. Even then, there were only two out of five that I didn’t know at all, just liked the look of it from the picture. The seeds came today and even on a small order they have given me a free packet, of Allium wallichii. It’s not a species I’ve heard of but I shall be very wary about letting it loose in the garden. There may be a reason they are giving it away.
Five.
Impatiens sodenii ‘Ravishing Ree’ was planted out at the beginning of June. I’d bought it a year earlier and kept it in the greenhouse but it was potbound and hungry so I planted it in the ground. It’s where Impatiens want to be, it has never looked back, is now a metre tall and has flowered all summer. I have several well rooted cuttings so I won’t be taking the parent plant in for the winter and I’m not expecting it to survive. I will certainly be planting the young plants out next year, it’s very much a keeper.
Six.
I’m finishing up with another tender perennial, bought earlier this year and only now flowering in the conservatory in its pot. I bought it on the strength of its foliage, green on top, nearly black below. The flowers are no disappointment either, though mid November is taking fashionably late to extremes. Oh, you’ll be wanting a name. Plectranthus ‘Velvet Elvis’. Truth is, I only bought it for the name.
Another week down. Next week could see very little change (forecast 1, cold but no frost) or a lot of change (forecast 2, frost and snow). Either way, weather and its consequences might be something of a theme. We shall see.
garden ruminations 
I love those decorative bananas! Its amazing what you can grow in a sheltered spot. The Plectranthus is sweet too.
Here are my six –
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My favorite sentence today, “The flowers are no disappointment either, though mid November is taking fashionably late to extremes. “
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The Plectranthus is so attractive, with those dark leaf undersides! And it’s always exciting to get new seeds – I am placing my order today or tomorrow.
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Plant names can be the USP. I had a verbena ‘banarama’ that we had to say ‘hey hey goodbye’ to when it outgrew it’s space in an ungainly fashion. Your Elvis seems much better behaved.
Here’s my six for the week https://doingtheplan.com/2025/11/15/twisted-hazel-borrowed-landscape-viburnum-basket-of-fire-lovely-leaves-and-the-last-begonias/
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I guess Storm Claudia didn’t reach you down in the SW – we have had Rain, a lot of it, but are also due lower temperatures next week. Upwards and onwards with those garden tasks – and if I can empty 2024’s compost before Christmas I shall be well chuffed. Meanwhile, there is leaf sweeping…
I like the look of that plectranthus, and I remember your H ‘Albostriata’ from last year – so striking. Seeing you seed order reminds me that last year I was VERY prompt with mine, which is certainly not the case this year….note to self… My six this week, which does have a belated title is at https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/six-on-saturday-2/
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Will you cut all of the leaves off of your Ensete? Mine’s reached the size where it’s going to have to stay outside this year and I’m not sure what to do as I’ve read such conflicting advice. How have I missed Podochaenium eminens! Definitely one to try in my small garden next year. ‘Velvet Elvis’ is such a great name and a great looking plant as well.
https://thequiltinggardener.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/six-on-saturday-15-11-2025/
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Your impatiens and Velvet Elvis are my faves from this week. We have had a light snow, icy roads and a return to temps in the 60s F only to tease us befoew they plunge again tomorrow. So this week features early snow and the Schlumbergera that is continuing to delight with its elegant flowers. Enjoy!
https://wisconsingarden.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/november-15-2025-six-on-saturday/
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‘Velvet Elvis’. Great name. We had a touch of frost last week but it only brought minor damage. Beautiful weather is forecast for the next week.
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Lovely colour with your bamboo and hakonechloa. You are so lucky being able to grow unusual and rare plants, I soon found out that they don’t like heavy wet clay, no matter how much I improve it, plants have to be tough to survive here! Love Elvis!
My six are here……..https://www.leadupthegardenpath.com
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‘Red Velvet Elvis’ is a Louisiana iris. I got it for the color, but I do happen to find the name to be amusing also. Is Plectranthus ‘Velvet Elvis’ similar to the Plectranthus that was formerly known as Coleus? I see that Impatiens sodenii is the same as Impatiens oliveri. Now, I am familiar with it. These are my six.
https://tonytomeo.com/2025/11/15/six-on-saturday-autumn-or-not/
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I would definitely have bought Velvet Elvis, fabulous name and the plant looks great too! I regret growing I. sodeni, it is being a bit of a thug in my garden, springing (literally) up everywhere. Your cultivar might be better behaved. You new seed looks interesting, happy sowing to you. Here are mine, from a wet and wind bashed South Wales https://offtheedgegardening.com/2025/11/15/six-on-saturday-the-real-thing/
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The Plectranthus is a beauty, uh huh-huh. Thank you very much https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/six-on-saturday-15-november-2025/
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The Hakonechloa is spectacular but I also love the dark stems on the plectranthus. I’ve barely scraped together a six this week but here it is: https://mysanctuarygarden.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/six-on-saturday-15-11-2025/
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Blue swede shoes came to mind when I viewing your Plectranthus ‘Velvet Elvis’, I expect you will be dusting off your pair ready for the party season.
My contribution this week: https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2025/11/six-things-from-garden-in-mid-november.html
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The cold weather forecast with snow and frost is changing, with temperatures slightly above 0°, so not as bad as predicted. That’s good. I really need to get the whole garden ready. I’m actually going to lift up my Abyssinian red banana today by cutting off the lower leaves and putting it in a pot. It’s hard job, as it must weigh at least 40 kg. I’ve just come back from Marrakech where I saw the Podochaenium eminens with its large leaves! They must be flowering there, of course.
A quick post just to say hi: https://fredgardenerblog2.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/wp-anniversary/
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