What to buy now.

Pansies and chrysanthemums, much as I like them, are slug food. I'm not too keen on violas. Belliis and wallflower do well and I'll get some but is there anything else I could try?

 

Cyclamen are pretty, and I don't think slugs eat them. They can be planted in pots on their own or in arrangements. You can also keep the corms for next season.

 

Thanks @Michael Hewett . I forgot about them

 

Evergreen ferns, grasses and small conifers are also very tempting just now. Their shapes look great in containers and they can go in ground or stay in containers after winter.

Gaultheria is seasonal but very pretty.

Oh, a nice bottle of red wine is a must

 

Definitely!