Category: Plants

The humble tulip has always been a favourite spring bulb and was first cultivated by the Turks as early as 1,000 AD.

The flower was introduced into Europe in the 17th century by Carolus Clusius, who was a botanist from Vienna.  The flower is called ‘tulip’ after the Turkish word for turban.

At the beginning of the 17th century they started to be used in gardens for aesthetic instead of medicinal purposes and they soon gained massive popularity, especially in Holland.  The interest in the flower became so great that bulbs changed hands for enormous sums of money, with hybrids and rare varieties sometimes costing more than a house in the Netherlands!

  Tulip ‘Purple Dream’

Traders made huge amounts of money, but like all good things it came to an end due to oversupply.  This led to lower prices and many dealers went bankrupt and people lost their life savings.

  Tulip ‘Johann Strauss’

Today tulips no longer reach the prices of the 17th century and can be bought and admired by us all.  The best place to see them at their best is Keukenhof where over seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are planted.

  Tulip ‘Spring Green’

Tulips can give some fantastic spring colour in your gaden.  Our pick ‘n’ mix tulips are £7.29 a bag or 2 or more bags £6.25 per bag.

All these tulips are available as part of our Pick ‘n’ Mix range, allowing you to create a collage of colour!

When the garden is in need of a vivid splash of colour when little else is in bloom…send in the Camellias! Not only are they an essential part of the spring scene, Camellias are among the most loved of all flowering shrubs and trees, no garden is complete without them. Their bold evergreen foliage is key for giving form and structure, but it is their attractive, large, elegant flowers that will add the ‘WOW‘ factor.

Where do they come from?
The first recorded Camellia in this country was grown by Lord Petre at Thorndon Hall in Essex in the 1730s, and we know it was thriving and flowering by 1745. The first named varieties to attract public interest were C. japonica ‘Alba Plena’ and ‘Variegata’, both of which were brought to England in 1792 on an East India Company ship.

The beginning of the 20th Century saw interest in Camellias decline, mainly because the C. japonica and C. reticulata varieties cling onto their flowers even when they start to fade, making them look like used tissue. The only way to deal with this is to dead-head each bloom by hand – the extra work seemed to decrease their popularity for a time.

They soon came back into fashion again in the early 1920s when John Charles Williams crossed C. saluenensis with an unnamed form of C. japonica, resulting in the Camellia x williamsii. The main advantage this has over its parents is that it sheds its flowers as they fade and is also noticeably hardier than the japonica Camellias. The C. williamsii varieties have smaller leaves so are generally better able to cope with more exposed positions. These hybrids also flower early and long.

One of the best known of these original crosses is Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’ – an exceptionally long-flowering Camellia that produces large, semi-double, soft pink flowers among glossy, bright green leaves.

‘Donation’

Which one should I get?

Our Camellia x williamsii favourites are:

‘Bowen Bryant’

  

‘Debbie’                                                                                   ‘Jury’s Yellow’

‘Ruby Wedding’

If you prefer Camellia japonoica varieties then our favourites are:

 

 ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’

 

Where should I plant them?
Camellias look great in the mixed border, woodland gardens or in patio containers provided their cultural requirements are met. Generally speaking, Camellias do best in an acidic soil with a pH between 5.4 and 6.5 and they like soil with a loose, open structure, so add plenty of compost before planting to allow the right balance between water retention and free drainage.

They are happiest in a semi-shaded position with a westerly or sheltered northerly aspect. It is important to avoid south or east facing positions because the flowers may be spoilt by the early morning sun that inevitably follows a clear, freezing night. Bear in mind that they will not tolerate an exposed windy position or a soil which tends to become waterlogged in wet weather. The light dappled shade provided by trees and other shrubs is ideal as long as there is sufficient moisture at the roots.

Although they need acid soil, they are easy to grow in containers of ericaceous (acidic) potting compost.

How do I care for them?
To keep your plants in tip top condition, they must have plenty of water in their growing season, from April to October and feed them regularly with a balanced fertiliser. We recommend Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food.

Watch out for…

1) Sooty Mould – a black fungus, on the upper surface of the leaves. Although unsightly it rarely damages the plant and is the result of a sticky excrement (honeydew). Dropped by an aphid crawling on the underside of the leaf. The mould then grows on the honeydew rather than the leaf itself. Believe it or not the best medicine for this is to wash the leaves with soap and warm water.

2) Petal blight – this gives the petals a rusty appearance, and the whole flower turns brown, dies and falls to the ground, and a fruiting body can form at the base of the petals. It can lay dormant for a long time in the ground before growing into a small mushroom, which will explode in spring and send its spores a vast distance. Avoid the fruiting body forming by gather up fallen blooms as they fall before burning them.

Did you know?
…Tea oil made from camellia seeds is a popular and essential cooking oil for millions of people, especially those that live in southern China

…Sacramento, California is nicknamed the Camellia City

…The Camellia is Alabama’s state flower

…Camellia represents adoration, devotion and loveliness

…Camellia leaves have been used in Asian traditional herbal medicine

The rose has been voted the nation’s favourite plant and at Coolings we offer a huge range of superb home-grown and David Austin varieties. Growing roses successfully in a pot is an ambition of many gardeners; however the choice of pot and variety are the keys to success.

Dwarf patio roses are ideal for growing in containers as their compact growth habit makes them ideal for this purpose.

Our rose expert Terry’s top two varieties are:-

Rosa ‘Sweet Dream’

Rosa ‘Sweet Magic’

When selecting a pot, remember that roses have a deep tap root so pick a pot that has plenty of depth. Roses are heavy feeders and thrive best in rich fertile soil. When in pots we recommend growing roses in John Arthur Bowers Multi Purpose with added John Innes compost, as this is an ideal blend of loam and compost that will hold nutrients. If you were kept without food or water for a period of time, how would you look? Neglected roses will look the same! So water and feed are the keys to good health and performance. A light dressing of Toprose fertiliser in sring and mid-summer is all that is required and a can of water in the summer when dry, avoiding the foliage (this will reduce fungal problems). All roses are best in a sunny location so choose a nice bright spot to place your container. Simply nip out the faded blooms to encourage repeat flowering.

Following this simple advice should allow you to enjoy the charms of Patio roses to their full potential throughout the summer months.

Don’t be put off by the name ‘Bamboo’ as Nandina is no relation.  It is found growing all over the Far East, and in Japanese culture it is attributed with having special powers to ward off bad dreams, so is often planted near the house entrance.

Nandina is evergreen and easy to grow, giving interest throughout the year with white flowers in the spring followed by red berries and rich autumn coloured leaves.

To get the best from Nandina they love a sunny position, with moist but well dranied soil.  The smaller varieties, of which there are several available, will grow quite happily in a container as long as you remember to keep them watered and fed.

No garden should be without a Nandina – fantastic value for money, changing interest with every season.  All of these varieties are available now in 2 litre pots.

Nandina ‘Firepower’
Yellowish green leaves in the summer become orange and red in the autumn and winter:  Clusters of small star-shaped white flowers appear during the summer.  H&S: 60cm x 60cm.

Nandina ‘Twilight’
Copper-pink flushed young foliage becomes irregularly flecked with white variegation before fading to green and sprays of small white flowers in summer. H&S: 1.2m x 0.6m.

Nandina ‘Obsessed’
One of the best fiery red displays on new growth, turning green when leaves mature, and then changing red again when autumn arrives.  Ideal for containers.  H&S: 70cm x 60cm.

Nandina ‘Blush Pink’
The new spring pink growth gives a blushing appearance, and in the autumn turns a rich purple red.  Very compact habit.  H&S: 60cm x 60cm.

Nandina domestica (AGM)
Produces small white flowers in large panicles in the summer, followed by red berries lasting through the autumn and into the winter.  Red new shoots turn green and winter foliage changes to reds and purples.  A taller majestic variety.  H&S: 1.5m x 1.5m.

Nandina ‘Lemon and Lime’ (AGM)
A new introduction with vibrant, bright yellow-green foliage, contrasts with the other coloured varieties.  Does not scorch in full sun.  H&S: 60cm x 60cm.

Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’
A compact, evergreen shrub with bronzy young foliage and white flowers in summer, sometimes followed by berries.  Lovely orange-red autumn colour.  H&S: 1.2m x 1m.

Growing Herbs is easy and rewarding.  Flourishing in tubs and containers they complement modern living and a healthy lifestyle, making beautifully tactile scented displays.  Homegrown cannot be bettered for freshness and taste, plus has the advantage that you can pick and use just what you need.  Here we look at a few popular herbs that are the perfect partner to everyday dishes.

Rosemary – Perfect accompaniment to roast lamb. Loves a sunny spot.

Bay – Add to stews or casseroles and essential for bouquet garni. Grow as a bush or as an attractive topiary feature.

Thyme – Popular ingredient in Italian cuisine, try adding leaves to Bolognese sauce!

Sage – Great with pork dishes or a vital ingredient if you fancy making stuffing!

Chives – Bring your salads to life by adding chopped Chive leaves.

Parsley – Versatile herb great for making parsley sauce and garnishes.

Marjoram – With a sweeter flavour than oregano, Marjoram will enliven a tomato sauce.  Try using in home-made pizza topping.

Mint – Possibly the easiest of all herbs to grow, there is no excuse to ever buy fresh mint in season.  Best grown in its own pot as it can spread.   Perfect partner to new potatoes!

Coriander –  Great with Thai and many Indian dishes or added to soups and salads.

French Tarragon –  Perfect partner to fish and chicken dishes. Will transform a simple Omelette.  Add towards the end as the flavor reduces with cooking and use sparingly.

The health benefits of both gardening and eating fresh fruit and vegetables are well documented.  Growing your own food has a positive effect on physical and mental well being and there is no better way of getting your ”five a day” than with produce you have nurtured yourself.

Tomatoes are packed full of anti-oxidants and vitamins.  They are an extremely useful crop to grow as they can be used cold in salads, sandwiches etc,or used in cooking.  Excess fruit can always be blitzed in the blender and frozen for a bolognese sauce or made into tomato soup.

Here are five ways to grow tomatoes yourself.  Our homegrown plants are available in-store throughout the spring.

1. In hanging baskets. A fun way of growing a meaningful crop of sweet cherry tomatoes is to choose a trailing variety and grow them in hanging baskets.  We recommend ‘Tumbler’. The bowl of tomatoes shows some of what I picked from one plant in a 12” hanging basket last summer!!  Remember to feed and water regularly. 
2. On the patio in pots.  Tomatoes grow well in pots and containers on a patio or even a sheltered balcony.  A variety like ‘Gardeners Delight’ will produce a delicious crop from a larger pot.  Dwarf bush varieties will do well in smaller pots – look out for ‘Red Profusion’ and ‘Red Alert’ which both produce masses of sweet cherry tomatoes that taste amazing picked direct from the plant!  Great for kids!
3. Outside in the ground.  When it comes to the traditional way to grow tomatoes, try a variety like ‘Outdoor Girl’.  Train against a garden cane.  Best to avoid areas that have previously grown tomatoes or potatoes and do not plant out until the risk of frost has passed as tomatoes are cold sensitive. 
4. In a Growbag.  Tomatoes are shallow rooted and grow happily in a growbag in a sunny spot outside or in a greenhouse.  A reliable variety to grow under glass is ‘Shirley’ as this has good resistance to Tomato Blight. Grow as a cordon up a cane or string removing side shoots.  Pick out the top growing tip after 6 fruit trusses are formed. Try Levington Tomorite Giant Planter (£5.49).
5. In a Grow Tower.  Look out for the new self-watering Grow Pot Tower in our shop.  Try growing a grafted tomato within this for a bumper crop this summer.  Grafted plants have very strong root systems for extra vigor and heavy cropping.  Look out for our grafted selection.

We recommend feeding all tomatoes with Tomorite (1 litre £4.99).

Growing your own Herbs, vegetables and flowers from seed just got a whole lot easier!  Produce grown in your garden are higher in nutrients than those that have travelled hundreds of miles into your supermarket plus, you’ll save money, not to mention the satisfaction when pulling the first carrot out of the ground or planting a hanging basket with your homegrown Geraniums.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming and you don’t need a big garden or fancy greenhouse.  In fact, we’ve got a solution to all those concerns.

It’s called a Hydro-Pod (£39.99). A NEW product for 2018 that can make the whole process easy as anything. The Pod is small enough to fit into the smallest of spaces or on any windowsill. There is no need for compost which means no mess, and they boast self-watering chambers and an automated controller that tells you when to top up the water.

All you need is some Vermiculite such as Vitax Vermiculite 10/20L (instead of compost), soluble fertiliser, water and 2 AAA batteries.

Easy as 1, 2, 3…

1.  Fill Planting pods about 90% with vermiculite and sow seeds according to the instructions on the pack.

2.  Fill basin up to the “fill to here” water mark and add fertiliser.

3.  Put planting pods back into the basin body, check the control panel is set and off you go.

This nifty little gadget also comes in a more sophisticated version with an LED grow light (£69.99). This is particularly handy when there is no windowsill or not enough natural light.  It mimics the sunlight – 16 hours on and 8 hours asleep.

So, what can you grow in the Hydro-Pod?

1. Seeds.
2. Hydroponic plants (eg. pond plants).
3. Bulbs.
4. It can also be used for transplanting young plants (seedlings).

If this is not for you, we do of course stock a vast selection of traditional propagation products.  Starting from Peat Pots to flatpacked Growhouses, Cloches, traditional Propagators and greenhouse accessories:

• Plantpak Fibre Pot Round (6cm) £2.49.
• Smart Garden Gro-Zone Max Greenhouse £39.99.
• Stewarts Clear Propagation Cover (52cm) £9.49.
• Stewarts Premium Deep Seed Tray (52cm) £5.29.
• Garlands Assorted Greenhouse and Propagation Accessories priced from £2.60.

Spring is not all about outdoor flowers.  It’s also the season for Cactus and Succulent flowering too.  They are the on-trend houseplants at present and they owe their well-deserved popularity to being very low maintenance, in fact, life doesn’t come much more easycare than this group of plants.

There is a huge variety available by way of differing shapes and textures, making them iconic plants that cannot easily be ignored.    When several different varieties are planted together in a container or Terrarium for which they are very suitable, they make an eye-catching, stunning display.

If you want to make a Cactus plant happy, give it sunshine.  They are best suited to a warm and sunny or bright windowsill.  Little water is needed during the winter, just enough to stop the Cactus from shrivelling to nothing.  Watering should be increased from April onwards allowing the compost to dry between waterings.

Repotting in spring is best, use a ready mixed Cactus compost which contains everything they need. I always use a folded piece of newspaper wrapped around the Cactus to prevent spines detaching and causing injury!!  This makes it easy to hold in the correct position for potting.

Some of our favourites include:

Opuntia microdasys
Otherwise known as the Bunny Ear Cactus.  Despite the cute name, the Bunny Ear Cactus is in no way cuddly!   It has no central stem or leaves – the individual segments which constitute the Cactus body are oval shaped pads from which additional segments form. These new segments always grow in pairs, giving new growth areas the appearance of bunny ears.

Echinocactus brevispina
This globe shaped Cactus changes to a barrel shape gradually as it matures.  Popular for its short golden spines.

Ferocactus stainesii
More commonly known as the Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus.  It is barrel shaped with a dark green body and thick bright red spines.  A great Cactus to add to your collection.

Opuntia subulata
A species native to the Peruvian Andes.  Sometimes known as Eve’s Needle Cactus which suits its cylindrical shaped stems, few succulent leaves and sharp spines.

Astrophytum myriostigma
Unusual, deeply segmented, no spines but has silver hairs making it appear quite grey.

 

Succulents are also easy to care for and prefer a bright sunny position.  Aloe Vera for example, requires minimal attention due to its long, fleshy leaves which as a succulent have a natural capacity for water storage.   It’s a great plant for the kitchen as should you ever burn yourself whilst cooking, simply break off a stem and apply the open flesh of the plant to the burn.  Aloe has an amazing ability to heal burns quickly.  The broken leaf won’t grow back, but this hardy plant will soon produce plenty more leaves.

Crassula Sansevieria (Mother in Law’s Tongue) and Zamioculcus are other Succulents loved by our customers for their distinct appearance and ‘hard to kill’ nature!

For those looking to fill smaller garden spaces with colourful, hardy, low-maintenance plants then a wide selection of lovely choices can be found in the range of plants traditionally called “Alpines”.

Containers, raised beds, border edges, even in between paving are all examples of places that can be enhanced with the right choice of plants.  The key thing to remember is good drainage – incorporate some horticultural grit or gravel when planting.  Here are a few top choices from our extensive range.

 

Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripe’
This showy little perennial is a great choice for popping into permanent planters, providing pink striped flowers in spring. There are many other attractive colours available.

 

Erigeron ‘Sea of Blossom’ and ‘Profusion’
An absolute must-have for dry stoney spots, these dainty little daises literally flowers non-stop from spring until autumn. They will self-seed to fill along walls and in between cracks and crevices.

 

Helianthemum (mixed varieties)
Rock Roses are tough little fellows that grow to form mats of evergreen foliage with masses of attractive flowers in spring and summer. Really easy to grow and last for years.

 

Aubrieta ‘Kitte’
For beautiful year-after-year spring colour there is little to match the tough reliability of Aubretia.  ‘Kitte’ is a special selection with larger flowers which gives a real show.  Available in purple, blue, white and red.

 

 

Campanula ‘Catherina’
This beautiful little bellflower has upward facing blooms and quickly forms an attractive spreading patch of dwarf foliage ideal for edging paths or cascading down walls.  Very popular and very easy to grow.

 

Rhodanthemum ‘Sunshine Peach’
This attractive low-growing evergreen has fine silvery foliage and during summer is covered with bright peach daisy-like flowers.  Great choice for hot sunny locations.

 

Oxalis adenophylla
This little lovely has cup-shaped pink flowers in spring and a neat ground hugging habit. Popular with our customers.

 

Saxifraga ‘Peter Pan’
Like its namesake, this delightful plant never grows up!  It makes a neat cushion of rich green foliage which is studded with attractive red flowers in spring.  Easy as child’s play to grow!

 

Sedum Acre ‘Aureum’
If you want a dwarf plant and you never get around to watering then give this little Sedum a go!  It grows as a carpet of succulent foliage, the tips of which turn golden in spring accompanied by little yellow starry flowers.

 

Adjuga ‘Black Scallop’
Here’s a little something for a shady spot.  This useful black leaved bugle produces spikes of blue flowers in spring and will creep to cover the ground and deter weeds.

Summer is the season when we all want to enjoy our outside space at home.  A great way to add a colourful note is to plant up some pots and baskets.  Spending a few moments of a summers evening tending plants is the perfect way to relax and re-connect with nature.

Sometimes the range of patio plants can seem a little baffling, especially the wide selection of cascading plants used to soften the edges of displays.  Here we give our pick of this season’s top choices for tempting trailers…

NEW Petunia ‘Baby Doll’
We spotted this fab new variety in the breeders show trial last summer… the photo speaks for itself!  A unique cutting-raised novelty petunia of semi-trailing habit, ‘Baby Doll’ is a great choice for patio baskets and containers.

Trailing Osteospermum Erato Series
Top choice for a sunny location these recent introductions will bring a smile to a summer’s day. We grew a test batch last year and were delighted with the results!  Plant three in a tub or basket and enjoy!  Available in Purple, Rose Bi-Colour and White.

‘Waterfall’ Lobelia
These cutting raised varieties are the thoroughbred relations of the familiar pack grown types… amazing for vigor and flower power all summer!  We grow and sell them in 9cm and 1litre pots.

Trixi-Mix Trailers
For people looking for a quick, easy solution you cannot beat these high-impact, ready-to-go colour combinations.  We also grow a huge number of great value pre-grown patio pots and hanging baskets ready for you to take home and enjoy!

 

Scaevola ‘Blue Fan’
This unusual blue flowered trailer is a great choice as an alternative to lobelia in baskets. The attractive fan-shaped blooms are bourne in profusion throughout the summer.

 

Mini Trailing Petunias
Correctly called Calibrachoa these fantastic plants fill a container with colour and have the added bonus of not requiring dead heading.  Available in a mouth-watering array of colours.  Look out for the double flowered “mini-rose” forms in store this year!

 

Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla’
These beautiful semi-trailing nemesias have dainty white flowers that have a gorgeous vanilla fragrance and are produced all summer. Perfect for spilling over the edge of a pot placed by a door, where the scent can be enjoyed every time you pass.

Trailing Ivy Leaf Geraniums
Top choice for ease and colour, trailing geraniums will forgive you if you miss the odd watering for a day.  Best in a sunny spot they will produce a magnificent display until the first frosts. We sell both semi-double and single flowered forms in a wide colour spectrum, grown here on our own nursery in Knockholt.

 

Begonia Illumination Series
For out and out flower power there is little to beat a trailing Begonia.  Happy in sun or shade there are a wide range of colours available in the Illumination series.  The magnificent display in several local pubs started life on our nursery!!

NEW Petunia ‘Queen of Hearts’

We love this beautiful new semi-trailing Petunia which really packs a punch with its vibrant red and yellow starry flowers. Worth a try!

 

Cuphia ‘Tiny Mice’
With a spreading habit and eye-catching tubular flowers of red and purple, this unusual plant will complement any basket or container. The flowers look like sweet little Mice!  Will bloom all summer if fed weekly and help brighten and add interest to your garden.  We recommend using miracle-go plant feed for best results.