Boxing clever

Many people use them for hedging, as the stems bearing small and glossy leaves can be clipped regularly and make box an ideal choice for formal hedging. It also withstands windy conditions and will survive in some shade and alkaline soil. The most popular type is B sempervirens, the common box, which will grow to 3m (10ft) or more if left untrimmed and is widely grown as a hedge, planted in pots or trimmed into balls, pyramids or other topiary shapes. For dwarf hedges or edging beds, go for something more compact such as 'Suffruticosa'. Box thrives in partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil does not dry out.

What to do this week

Insulate containers to reduce the risk of roots freezing.

Tackle overgrown deciduous hedging, pruning it back hard. Don't trim evergreen hedges now.

Apply a bulky organic mulch around the base of trees, shrubs and climbers.

Plant bare-root and container-grown roses.

Plant tulips, lilies and hyacinths in beds, borders and containers.

Cut back the top growth on ornamental grasses that don't look attractive at this time of year.

Thin out canes on established bamboos.

Clear fallen leaves from the lawn, beds and borders.

Brush toadstools off the lawn using a broom.

Cut back faded foliage from pond and marginal plants before it falls in the water.