What Flowers to Plant in November UK

November: A Quiet Month With Hidden Potential. By November, most UK gardens are slipping into hibernation. Trees are bare, beds are quiet and frosts begin to settle in. But for the forward-thinking gardener, this month still holds opportunity. While options are more limited than in September or October, there are still flowers you can plant – and important steps you can take to prepare your garden for the months ahead.

Should You Plant Flowers in November?

Yes – you can still plant flowers in November, although the choices are more specific and the conditions need a bit more attention. November is particularly well-suited to planting tulip bulbs, as they prefer colder soil and are less likely to suffer from fungal diseases if planted this late.

It’s also a good time to tuck winter-flowering bedding plants like pansies and violas into borders and pots. These are hardy enough to cope with colder weather and will add cheerful colour when little else is blooming.

So while it’s not peak planting season, it’s absolutely worth planting in November – if you choose the right flowers and follow a few precautions.

Will Flowers Survive If Planted in November?

They certainly can – if the right types are planted in the right conditions. Hardy varieties such as tulips, pansies, violas, and cyclamen are designed to withstand low temperatures. Tulip bulbs, in particular, benefit from being planted in colder soil as it reduces the risk of tulip fire, a fungal disease that can ruin a crop.

Survival largely depends on drainage and timing. If you plant into cold, soggy, waterlogged soil, bulbs may rot before they even get going. If the ground is frozen solid, it’s best to wait for a mild spell. Raised beds, pots and well-draining soil give your flowers the best chance of success.

Best Flowers to Plant in November UK

• Tulips – the ideal bulb for November planting, as colder soil protects them from fungal disease

• Pansies – hardy bedding plants that can flower through winter and into spring

• Violas – smaller than pansies but just as tough and cheerful

• Winter-flowering Cyclamen – ideal for shady areas, containers and woodland-style gardens

• Primroses and Polyanthus – plant now for late winter and early spring colour

• Snowdrops (in the green) – if available, these can be planted directly to flower early next year

Common Problems Planting Flowers in November

1. Cold and Wet Soil
The biggest challenge is soil that’s too wet or heavy. Bulbs and young plants hate soggy ground, and November is usually damp. Use well-drained compost and consider planting in raised beds or containers if your soil holds water.

2. Early Frosts
Hard frosts can damage delicate new growth. While hardy plants are designed to cope, newly planted bedding may need a bit of fleece or cover on especially cold nights until they settle.

3. Limited Daylight
With short days and weak sunlight, growth slows considerably. That’s why November planting is more about survival and establishment than visible results. Your plants are simply biding their time until spring.

4. Slugs and Snails
Milder November days can still bring out slugs and snails. These pests love nibbling new bedding plants like pansies. Try using copper rings, crushed eggshells or wildlife-friendly deterrents if needed.

Get a Head Start

November planting isn’t about instant gratification. It’s about giving your garden a quiet head start. While little may happen above the surface, roots are developing and flowers are preparing themselves for the first signs of spring.

Tips for Successful November Flower Planting

• Choose hardy varieties suited to late autumn planting

• Improve drainage with grit, compost or by using pots and containers

• Plant on a mild day when the soil isn’t frozen or too wet

• Mulch lightly to protect young roots and bulbs from temperature swings

• Watch for pests and use protection like netting or cloches if needed

Whether you’re filling gaps in borders with pansies or carefully tucking tulip bulbs into pots, November still offers a rewarding connection with the garden – even if it's from under a scarf and a pair of gloves.

You’re Working With Nature, Not Against It

Planting in November might seem counterintuitive – the weather’s turning cold, the soil is damp, and the days are short. But for some flowers, that’s exactly what they need. Tulips, for example, should be planted in November because they thrive in colder soil. The low temperatures suppress fungal diseases and help the bulbs form healthy roots without prematurely sprouting.

So while spring might be the more glamorous planting season, November is quietly strategic. You’re aligning with the natural rhythm of many hardy species, giving them the best chance to shine later on.

Bulbs Aren’t Sleeping – They’re Strategising

It’s easy to assume bulbs just sit dormant until spring. But once you plant them in November, they don’t just wait. Beneath the surface, tulips, alliums, snowdrops, and hyacinths immediately start putting out roots, anchoring themselves in preparation for their big moment.

Even if the weather above ground is dreary and quiet, life is still happening in your soil – and that’s a beautiful part of the process.

Containers Are Your Best Friend

If the ground is too wet or heavy to work with, containers can rescue your November planting plans. Pots filled with tulips, pansies, violas or winter cyclamen can be placed near entrances or on patios, bringing colour and joy when the rest of the garden is quiet.

You can even get creative with bulb lasagne planting – layering different bulbs at various depths in one pot to create waves of flowers from late winter through to late spring.

Small Acts Now, Big Rewards Later

Many of the flowers you plant in November are slow burners – they won’t bloom straight away, but they’re laying the foundation for stunning displays in early spring. That means fewer gaps in your borders, earlier pollinator activity and less work when the spring rush arrives.

It also means you’ll be the one with colour in February and March, while your neighbours are just getting started.

Some Seeds Can Still Go In (Just About)

If you’re in a milder part of the UK or using a cold frame or greenhouse, you can still sow certain hardy annual seeds like sweet peas, cornflowers, or larkspur. These will germinate slowly, overwinter as seedlings, and flower earlier than spring-sown versions.

It’s a bit of a gamble depending on the weather, but with the right protection, it can pay off beautifully.

It’s a Time to Focus on Structure

November is a wonderful time to think beyond flowers too. If you’re planting bulbs and bedding plants now, think about pairing them with evergreens, grasses, or shrubs with winter interest. These elements can help frame your flowerbeds and keep the garden looking tidy and purposeful even when blooms are scarce.

The Psychological Bonus

There’s also a quiet kind of joy that comes from working in the garden in November. Planting bulbs in the cold while everything else is dying back feels like an act of defiance and hope. It’s a gentle reminder that no matter how grey or bare things look, brighter days are always on the way.

List of Flowers to plant in November

Bulbs to Plant in November

• Tulips – November is the best time to plant tulip bulbs

• Alliums – structural, globe-shaped flowers that bloom in early summer

• Iris reticulata – compact early bloomers, perfect for pots

• Fritillaria (Snakeshead Fritillary) – ideal for wildflower-style gardens

• Anemone blanda – cheerful daisy-like flowers in spring

• Bluebells – plant now for naturalised woodland charm

• Snowdrops (Galanthus) – especially ‘in the green’ if available

Hardy Bedding Plants for Winter Colour

• Pansies – hardy and long-flowering, great in beds and containers

• Violas – smaller than pansies but just as cold-tolerant and charming

• Winter-flowering Cyclamen – great for shade and winter cheer

• Primroses – reliable colour from late winter into spring

• Polyanthus – bolder version of primroses, good in borders or pots

Seeds to plant – Mild Areas or Under Cover

• Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus) – sow under cover for earlier spring flowers

• Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) – hardy annuals that overwinter well

• Larkspur (Consolida) – ideal for overwintering in a cold frame

• Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist) – can germinate and rest through winter

Final Thoughts:

November might not seem like prime planting time, but it’s still a valuable window for gardeners willing to work with the season. With the right choices—like tulips, pansies, and violas—and good drainage, you can add colour through winter and set the stage for spring. It’s all about timing, preparation, and picking plants that can handle the cold. So while the garden may look quiet now, a little effort this month goes a long way toward a brighter, earlier bloom next year.