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Category: Plants

  • Skimmia – four seasons of interest!

    Not only do Skimmias display fantastic colour in the autumn, but these low-maintenance, neatly rounded shrubs will also provide year-round interest. Evergreen glossy leaves provide a lovely backdrop with fragrant white or cream flowers in Spring and long-lasting bright red berries bring festive cheer during the Winter.

    Skimmias prefer a position in full or partial shade and are excellent for planting in containers using John Innes No.3 or Ericaceous Compost.

    Did you know?

    Only female varieties provide berries and they will need a male variety growing nearby for pollination to produce them, the male varieties produce showy flower buds.

    Here are a few of our favourite varieties, available in-store and online this season:

     

    Skimmia ‘Rubella’ (Male) Evergreen with leathery, red-margined deep green leaves and dark red winter buds opening to fragrant, white-pink flowers in Spring. Height and spread 1.5m x 1.5.

     

     

     

     

     

    Skimmia ‘Reevesiana’ (Self-Fertile) One of the very few varieties that produce berries on their own. A dwarf evergreen variety with white flowers in May, followed by clusters of crimson-red fruits through the winter months. Height and spread 90cm x 90cm.

     

     

     

     

     

    Skimmia ‘Pabella’ (Female) Evergreen with leathery, deep green leaves and panicles of small fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by green berries ripening to red kept through winter. Height and spread 1m x 1m.

     

     

     

     

     

    Skimmia ‘Kew Green’ (Male) A small, spreading evergreen shrub with aromatic, broadly oblanceolate leaves and large clusters of small, fragrant greenish-yellow flowers in spring. Height and spread 0.5-1m x 1-1.5m.

     

     

     

     

     

    Skimmia ‘Perosa’ (Male) Compact and rounded which produced grey-green leaves with yellow margins. Dense clusters of red to pink buds open up into small, star-shaped creamy white flowers from mid to late spring.

     

     

     

     

     

    Click here to shop Skimmias online

  • Shop Safely at Coolings

    As the world opens up again and Covid restrictions are relaxed, we’re keen to ensure that we offer customers and staff a safe environment in which to shop, here are a few pointers to help you enjoy your visit…

    • We’re mask friendly – please feel free to wear a mask if you would like.
    • Please observe a 2m distance where possible when shopping. Our staff are here to help and are happy to, but please be mindful of them too and maintain a 2m distance.
    • Hand sanitising stations are available throughout our centres and restaurants for your use.
    • Although we are accepting cash payments, contactless and credit or debit card payments are preferred for the safety of our customers and staff. We are accepting contactless payment up to the value of £100 and Apple or Android Pay. Chip and pin machines have wipes by them.

    For more information, please visit http://localhost.coolings0909.com/faqs

    You can also keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    We hope you enjoy your visit.

  • In Bloom 2021 Winners Announced!

    As devoted supporters of local community projects, including ‘In Bloom’, since the 1970s, Coolings are excited to be engaging local residents with the joy of gardening and supporting the essence of the competition, which is to help transform areas into better places to live and work, and to make residents, businesses and communities proud of their town.

    Thank you to everyone that entered, and a heartfelt congratulations to all the winners. It is always a joy seeing your lovely hard work.

     

  • Will at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

    Hi, Will here from Coolings Potted Garden Nursery! I spent a fantastic day at The RHS Chelsea Flower and have plenty of inspiration to share with you! You can see my video highlights from my day over on our Instagram page (@coolingsgardencentre) or see the YouTube link at the end of this page. I have listed my top three highlights from the show below, along with the plants used in each so that you can re-create the Chelsea look in your own garden. Keep an eye out for more of my inspiration from Chelsea over the coming weeks on our Facebook pages. Happy gardening!

     

    A fantastic garden based on the foothills of the Himalayas, using a selection of evergreen plants such as Rhododendrons and Bamboo to create that Oriental feel.

    A wooden structure in the garden only adds to this effect along with a stone built cover to the waterways.

    They use ferns, such as Dryopteris walichiana, and Rhododendrons to add different shades of green. Structure of leaf gives a real depth and natural feel to this garden with only a light smattering of colour from flowering plants such as Persicaria, Thalictrum and Actaea.

    A peaceful sanctuary has been created here and you get a real feel of being in the mountains on which this is based.

     

    I loved not only the concept of this garden but the planting scheme as well.

    A mini woodland of Silver birch (Betula), Hawthorn (Crataegus) and Hazel (Corylus) contains a wood egg shaped hide which can be winched up to give a higher view of the garden and a space to relax and unwind.

    The use of charcoal logs to create borders and barriers was really effective as the black made the flowering plants stand out and created a lovely smell around the garden.

    Flowering plants like Rudbeckia, Kniphofia and Helenium were well combined to create the autumnal colours which were smattering the garden and combined with tall grasses such as Miscanthus, a wonderful prairie garden feel has been managed.

    The main attraction to this garden though is that it is fully organic, which has never before been seen at Chelsea.

     

    Although not a show garden, being a Fern lover, this garden made it my top 3 show highlights.

    The use of different ferns to create different heights within the garden was really effective, combined with the moss, the bark and rocks you really got a sense of being in the distant past.

    The tree ferns, such as Dicksonia antartica, making up the overhead canopy gave the feel of being on the edge of an ancient land and if I sat on the bench I would feel that a dinosaur could walk past at any moment!

    Being among the smaller ferns, such as Dryopteris, Asplenium and Polystichum, I was reminded of my treks through the Scottish and Welsh mountains, this made me realise how much I need to go back for some more adventures!

     

     

     

  • Trendy Tulips

    When the first tulips appear we know that Spring is finally here; we all have our old favourites but how about trying something new?

    Our bulb expert Nicky Peto has chosen all of the great varieties of bulbs for Coolings this season, you will find plenty of old favourites as well as these Tulip varieties that are brand new to Coolings this season:

     

    Tulip Pink Sound (Darwin flowering) – a dusky pink tulip with a dark pink edging, excellent for cut flowers.

    Recommended planting location: Plant them informally in groups in beds and borders, under deciduous shrubs and trees or in lawns and outdoor containers. Great for underplanting roses or growing through Muscari.

    Flowering time: April / May.

    Flowering height: 50cm/20 inches.

     

     

    Tulip Striking Match (Lily flowering) – creamy yellow base topped with flame-red petals, their blooms resemble cup-shaped lillies with gently pointed tips.

    Recommended planting location: Plant them in groups or mixed with other flowering bulbs for a spectacular burning matchsticks effect in beds, borders or containers.

    Flowering time: May.

    Flowering height: 35-40cm/12-16 inches.

     

     

     

    Tulip Chansonette (Triumph variety) – a very vibrant but elegant two-tone variety, the blooms are royal purple-red with pristine white edges.

    Recommended planting location: Plant them informally in groups in beds and borders, under deciduous shrubs and trees or in lawns and outdoor containers. Great for mixing with greens, purples, pink and white tulip varieties.

    Flowering time: April / May.

    Flowering height: 60cm/24 inches.

     

     

     

    Tulip Salmon Dynasty (Triumph variety) – creamy yellow flushing salmon with a soft blush of pink and an ivory to pale yellow base, their colour intensifies as the flower matures.

    Recommended planting location: Ideal for planting in beds, borders and containers in mass groups for a stunning effect.

    Flowering time: April / May.

    Flowering height: 50cm/ 20 inches.

     

     

     

    Tulip Spryng Break (Triumph variety) – cheerful splashes of red on white blooms, the red flames cool to pink as the flower matures.

    Recommended planting location: Ideal for planting in beds and orders. Excellent to grow as pot plants for Valentine’s Day and Easter.

    Flowering time: March / April.

    Flowering height: 40cm/ 16 inches.

     

     

     

     

    Tulip Orange Marmalade (Viridiflora variety) – a new variety in shades of orange and red tinted blooms with a strong green stripe across each petal.

    Recommended planting location: Ideal for planting in beds, borders and containers, the colours blend well with maroon, purple, pink and yellow varieties.

    Flowering time: May.

    Flowering height: 40cm/ 16 inches.

     

     

     

     

    Tulip Verandi (Triumph variety) – vibrant two-tone deep red to orange flowers with soft yellow edges.

    Recommended planting location: Look fantastic planted alongside vibrant yellow Narcissus in beds, borders, containers and also good as cut flowers.

    Flowering time: April / May.

    Flowering height: 45cm / 18 inches.

     

     

    Our huge selection of loose and pre-packed Spring flowering bulbs are now available in-store (excluding Coolings Lifestyle), with pre-packed bulbs also available to order online. Now is a great time to plant Spring flowering bulbs to ensure you have a vibrant and cheerful display next Spring.

     

     

  • Elegant Anemone

    Few plants can send up a succession of flowers from August until late October and look elegant at every stage, whether tight bud, long-lasting flowers or neatly spherical seed head. But the Japanese Anemone manages it perfectly. Japanese Anemones are ideal for the no-fuss gardener and thrive in sun or part shade. The large, long-lasting flowers in pinks or white are held on strong stems that don’t need supporting.

    If it’s a tall variety you are after, consider:

    Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ is elegant and has neat, white flowers with a boss of golden-yellow stamens set round a green, pin-eyed centre. It is superb against a north or east wall, as it lights up a shady spot.

     

     

     

     

     

    Anemone ‘Andrea Atkinson’ is one of the most vigorous of the Anemones. A truly beautiful site as the abundance of its pure white flowers, with central green button, sway in an autumn breeze.

     

     

     

     

     

    Anemone ‘Splendens’ will undoubtedly grab the attention of your autumn garden. A great performer with masses of single, deep pink flowers adorned with a ring of golden stamens. Low maintenance and well behaved, this beauty is a wonderful naturaliser that is perfect for adding a splash of long-lasting colour late in the season.

     

     

     

     

    If a shorter variety fits your garden scheme then we recommend:

    Anemone ‘Prinz Heinrich’ is an excellent German variety bred by Wilhelm Pfitzer in 1902. Loved for its deep-pink, semi-double flowers and quilled petals.

     

     

     

     

     

    ‘Whirlwind’ semi-double white flowers with rolled petals produced in late Summer.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ‘Pocahontas’ (Fantasy Series) have an abundance of slightly cupped, double rose-pink blooms with slightly frilled petals and golden centres followed by cotton white seed heads.

     

     

     

     

     

    Click here to shop our range of Anemone and herbaceous perennial plants online

  • Scentsational David Austin Roses – Available Now

    When David Austin started the breeding programme over 60 years ago, he wanted to combine the charm, elegance, beautiful flower shape and disease resistance of old-fashioned shrub roses, with the flowering attributes of hybrid teas and floribundas. Today, David Austin Roses are among the most popular and most beautiful available. A garden of these outstanding roses is hard to beat for sheer exuberance of flower and fragrance.

    Characteristic of a David Austin Rose:

    • Renowned for their rich fragrances

    • Unique multi-petaled beautiful blooms

    • Good health and disease resistance

    • Repeat blooms from early summer providing a long season of interest

    • Versatile for different growing conditions and uses including large containers and mixed borders

    Here at Coolings we are excited to be one of the few local garden centres to have recently received a fresh delivery of David Austin roses. As part of our Summer Celebration of English Roses, we have highlighted some of our favourite, most fragrant varieties below.

    (All images on this page are courtesy of David Austin Roses)

     

    Rosa ‘Boscobel’ (Shrub)

    Red buds open to beautifully formed, upward facing, coral-pink rosettes. The myrrh fragrance has delicious  hints of hawthorn, elderflower, pear and almond.

    H&S – 3.5ft (110cm) x 3.5ft (110cm).

     

    Rosa ‘Charles Darwin’ (Shrub)

    Their yellow flowers are very full and rounded at first, later opening up to shallow cups. There is strong, delicious fragrance, varying between soft floral Tea and pure lemon. Named after the naturalist who was born in Shropshire.

    H&S – 3.5ft (110cm) x 4.5ft (140cm).

     

    Rosa ‘Desdemona’ (Shrub)

    Peachy pink buds open to a beautiful, white blooms with a pinkish hue. The strong Old Rose fragrance has hints of almond blossom, cucumber and lemon zest. Named after the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s Othello.

    H&S – 3.5ft (110cm) x 3.5ft (110cm).

     

    Rosa ‘Emily Bronte’ (Shrub)

    Beautiful, distinctive, neat, flat blooms. The strong Tea scent becomes more Old Rose, with delicious hints of lemon and grapefruit. Named for the Brontë Society to celebrate the bicentenary of the novelist’s birth.

    H&S – 4ft (125cm) x 3.5ft (110cm).

     

     

    Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ (Shrub)

    Always one of the first English roses to start flowering, perfect scrolled buds open to large, rosette-shaped flowers of bright glowing pink. The strong, perfectly balanced Old Rose scent is often described as being the quintessential Old Rose fragrance. Named for the famous garden designer and author.

    H&S – 3.5ft (110cm) x 3ft (90cm).

     

    Rosa ‘Harlow Carr’ (Shrub)

    Shallow, mid-pink flower cups. Flowers freely from early Summer until well into the Autumn with a strong, pure Old Rose fragrance. Named after the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden in Yorkshire.

    H&S – 3ft (90cm) x 3ft (90cm).

     

    Rosa Princess Alexandra of Kent (Shrub)

    Unusually large, deeply cupped, bright pink flowers. There is a strong and delicious fresh Tea fragrance, which changes to lemon, eventually taking on hints of blackcurrant. Named for Princess Alexandra – a keen gardener.

    H&S – 4ft (125cm) x 4ft (125cm).

     

    Rosa ‘The Poet’s Wife’ (Shrub)

    Bears rich yellow flowers, which pale over time. There is a strong, wonderfully rich fragrance with a hint of lemon, which becomes sweeter and stronger with age.

    H&S – 3.5ft (110cm) x 3.5ft (110cm).

    Click here to shop a selection of David Austin Roses online or view the full range in-store

    View our range of home-grown roses here

  • Showstopping Hydrangeas

    If you haven’t yet grown a hydrangea, it’s time to give this showstopper a try!

    Hydrangeas offer big beautiful leaves and large clusters of long lasting, spectacular flowers in white, pink, red and blue from mid to late summer. With their wonderful texture and blooms, hydrangeas are lush, attractive and easy to care for, generally they are garden showstoppers.

    Hydrangea macrophylla (big-leaf hydrangea) are undoubtedly the most popular. The big-leaf hydrangea is the familiar “mop-headed” blue, pink or white species that is frequently seen. Its enormous flower clusters look like pom-poms and remain attractive even after blooming, because the flower clusters – being composed of sepals and not petals – do not fall but remain on the plant until early winter. They often change to lovely shades of red, pink and green, and can easily be cut and dried for indoor use. A special category of big-leaf hydrangea is the lacecap – their flat heads feature a central area of tiny fertile flowers surrounded by a “lace” of large, flat, showy sterile ones.

    An interesting aspect of hydrangeas is the soil pH often determines flower colour. Blue flowers are produced in acid soil and pink in alkaline soils. For example, a pink hydrangea planted in acid soil would change to blue and visa versa. However, some hydrangeas, such as the white flowering types, often retail their flower colour regardless of the soil pH. A colourant would help you fight mother nature, such as Vitax Hydrangea Colourant, but regular application is necessary.

    Caring for your hydrangea is very easy. They do best in moist, well-drained soil and will need to be kept well watered during hot spells in summer. Fertilise with a balanced fertiliser (an ericaceous feed would be suitable for blue hydrangeas) or amend soil to change flower colour if desired. Watch out for chlorosis, yellow/very pale leaves caused by iron deficiency, we recommend applying Vitax Epsom Salts if needed. Take cuttings to start new plants in summer months. In October, cut all stems that have bloomed to 6 or 8 inches to control growth and promote more flowers.

    We have 100’s of large hydrangeas in bud that we have grown on-site available in-store and online, we have listed just a few of our current favourites below. Hydrangeas are hardy, reliable and can be an outstanding addition to any garden. 

     

    Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

    Large rounded clusters of cream flowers. Ultimate height and spread 2.5m x 2.5m.

     

    Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Amor Blue’

    Clusters of vibrant blue flowers from mid to late summer. Ultimate height and spread 1m x 1m.

     

    Hydrangea paniculata ‘Early Sensation’

    Red stems with beautiful white flowers at the start turning into burgundy red. Ultimate height and spread 1-1.5m x 1-1.5m.

     

    Hydrangea ‘French Bolero Pink’

    Profuse soft pink flowers in early summer – not only at the stem tips like other hydrangeas, but also from every single side bud. Ultimate height and spread 1.6-1.8m x 1m.

     

    Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’

    Creamy-white flowers becoming pink-tinged with age, beautiful in summer and autumn. Ultimate height and spread 2.5m x 2.5m.

     

    Hydrangea arborescens ‘Ruby Annabelle’

    Rounded clusters of two toned reddish-pink flowers from July to September. Ultimate height and spread 1.2m x 1.2m.

     

    Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’

    Lime green flowers, which fade to cream and then blush-pink as the season progresses. Ultimate height and spread 1.2m x 1.2m.

    Click here to shop our full range of geums and herbaceous perennial plants online

  • Outdoor Living Essentials

    Make your garden, or outdoor area, an extension of your living space with our range of outdoor essentials.

    Over the last few weeks everyone has been busy preparing the garden for peak season when everything is in full bloom. Adding those final finishing touches to your outdoor space will help bring everything together and make time spent with family and friends even more enjoyable. It’s time to add those final touches, sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour literally!

    Discover Nicky’s five top tips to add the ultimate finishing touches, helping enhance and transform your outdoor space to enjoy during the day and into the evening.

    Our home-grown bedding is a great way to add instant Summer colour. The simplest and easiest way to adding the finishing touches to your garden is to plant up pots, containers and hanging baskets. They are great for uplifting an area and can be planted to match any theme, style or décor you may have.

    Why not add an array of herbs to your planters, not only will this bring a wonderful fragrance, you can enjoy a fresh sprig added to a cocktail!

    From creating a cosy nook on your patio, to lighting up your outdoor living or dining space, we have a wide range of solar lights for every situation.


    Create a warm and cosy atmosphere and extend your evening in your garden for family and friends with our choice of firepits.

    From creating a cosy nook on your patio, to lighting up your outdoor living or dining space, we have a wide range of solar lights for every situation.


    Bring a touch of zen by adding a water feature or enhance an area of your garden with a mirror. Relax in comfort with an assorted set of cushions and candles.

  • A Dozen Rose Fun Facts

    Did you know that in 2019 Coolings took ownership of Wych Cross nursery and garden centre? Established over 50 years ago as a traditional nursery specialising in roses, by the early 2000’s it had one of the largest retail selections of roses in the UK with over 1,400 varieties. We are excited to have restored the rose production nursery and are now growing roses on-site again to supply all of our garden centres. You can purchase Coolings home-grown roses online or in-store now.

    Here are a dozen fun facts about the nations favourite flower:

    1. Roses were originally native to China, it wasn’t until the late 18th century that cultivated roses were introduced into Europe.

    2. There are over 100 types of rose including climbing, hybrid tea, shrub, patio, occasion and ground cover. We stock all of these and more, available to view here.

    3. Don’t let the fact that roses are prone to disease such as black spot and rust put you off. These can all be treated but the best way to avoid them is to make sure your roses are well fed and watered. We recommend using Miracle-Gro Rose & Shrub Slow Release Food and Roseclear Ultra.

    4. Technically, roses have prickles, not thorns! Thorns have deeper roots in a plants stem, but prickles only attach at the surface. Don’t forget to pick up a pair of gloves to prevent scratches when caring for your rose.

    5. If you’re not sure if your rose is a shrub or a climber just look at the thorns. On climbers they point backwards to act as hooks to help the plant to climb!

    6. There are over 4000 songs titled with the word ‘Rose’ in them.

    7. It’s estimated that in the UK over 55 million roses are sent each year to arrive on Valentine’s Day. Roses make the perfect gift for any occasion and don’t forget we offer a delivery service.

    8. You should never plant a new rose where an old rose has been dug up from. This can lead to replant disease, which roses are susceptible to. If you are planting a rose we recommend using Coolings Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost.

    9. Mozart, Handel, Princess Diana and George Washington all have varieties of Rose named after them.

    10. The world’s most expensive rose ‘Juliet’ was cultivated by rose breeder David Austin. Breeding the rose took a total of 15 years and cost 5 million dollars, making it the most expensive rose cultivar! Rose Juliet made its debut in 2006 at the Chelsea Flower Show.

    11. Out of all colours, there are no black roses. What some might to refer to as a black rose is actually a very dark crimson colour.

    12. The world’s oldest living rose is believed to be 1,000 years old! It grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany.

    For information on our Rose Festival click here.