Category: Plants

Now that summer is well underway our roses are blooming and looking wonderful. With their great beauty, tremendous variety, and luscious scent, it’s easy to become passionate about roses. Like Oscar Wilde, who could “resist anything except temptation,” those who give in to the temptation of roses are richly rewarded. In addition to being beautiful flowers for arrangements, roses lend themselves to a wide variety of crafts, providing everything from petals for creating potpourri, to the vitamin C-rich seed pods (called rose hips) for rose hip tea.

Some of our favourites at the moment are:

Rosa ‘Coconut Ice’ –  not only does it have a fabulous scent, it also boasts large, strongly fragrant, double, white-speckled, bright pink flowers from late spring into autumn.

Rosa ‘Ice Cream’ – A compact Hybrid Tea rose with attractive coppery-bronze leaves and an abundance of large ivory-white flowers from summer into autumn. Spicy cinnamon scent. Excellent for cutting.

 

Rosa ‘Fond Memories’ – A repeat flowering patio rose. Small clusters of petit ginger-orange blooms fading to apricot with a glowing yellow centre are produced repeatedly throughout the summer into the autumn. Dark green and glossy foliage provides a perfect backdrop for the flowers. Hardy. Good disease resistance.

 

Rosa ‘Iceberg’ – A popular variety producing sprays of slightly fragrant, double pure white flowers from pink buds, summer to autumn. Good disease resistance. Repeat flowering if dead-headed. Moderately prune in March.

Rosa ‘Eyes for You’ – A fragrant Floribunda rose with dark green leaves. Beautiful cream flowers with a purple eye produced from summer to autumn.

Rosa ‘Eye of the Tiger’ – A cluster flowered bush rose producing semi-double, golden yellow flowers with rich red eye and good scent from summer into autumn. 

 

Rosa ‘National Trust’ – a deciduous, upright, hybrid tea type rose. It has glossy, green leaves and crimson-red flowers that are slightly fragrant, blooming from summer through until autumn.  What a beauty!

Rosa ‘Tequilla Sunrise’ – Large-flowered rose with glossy dark green leaves. Pretty fully double yellow flowers with scarlet margins.

When choosing roses, it’s helpful to know some of the terminology and uses:

• Hybrid tea roses. These are tall, long-stemmed roses ideal for cutting. They are usually the kind you send from the florist. In the garden, they are often featured as single specimens.
• Floribundas. Developed during the last century, these roses are shorter and bloom more freely, setting clusters of blossoms rather than a single bloom on a stem.
• Shrub roses. These can be tall or kept trimmed. They can be treated like a hedge and bloom from spring through fall. Their foliage fills in. Aside from the great beauty of their flowers, which are borne consistently over a long season, shrub roses boast a natural disease-resistance, grow in a variety of climates and require very little attention (very little pruning required) – they are impressive to say the least!
• Tree roses. These elegant roses grow in a cluster at the top of a stake. Tall ones can frame a doorway or line a walk. Smaller varieties can be grown in containers on the patio or porch.
• Patio roses. These grow two to four feet tall, bloom all season, and are well suited to growing in containers in small spaces. Sometimes they are planted in hedges as foundation covers. The foliage tends to be dense.
• Climbers. Climbing roses can form dramatic cascades grown over an arched trellis or trained over a fence, pillar, or post. They are sometimes used to create a privacy wall.

Don’t forget: Roses are heavy feeders and thrive best in rich, fertile soil. They will benefit from specific nutrients to help their growth to enable them to produce flowers. We recommend:

Bayer Garden Toprose – Britain’s best-selling granular rose feed which boasts the perfect balance of nutrients for bright and beautiful roses and shrubs. It also contains long-lasting nitrogen for balanced growth and Iron and Magnesium to guard against premature leaf drop. We would suggest using in Spring after the roses have been trimmed back and then again when they have had their first flush of flowers.

You just need to look out of the window this time of the year to see the abundance nature has to offer.

Fruit trees are heavy with fruit and the vegetable patch is very lush and ready for rich pickings (it almost feels like it’s too much!).  When out walking I always bring a basket (Kettle oval fruit basket £27.50) or trug, because you never know what goodies you might stumble across – Blackberries, Damsons or even Mushrooms.  Be aware though – always refer to a book or a reputable source on the internet and only eat what can be identified ‘as edible’.  There are plenty of foraging courses/classes available around the country. I recommend looking at BBC Countryfile’s Top 10 Foraging Courses in the UK.

Kettle Oval Fruit Basket

When picking fruit from trees it might be a good idea to invest in a  fruitpicker.  There are many types on the market.  We stock the WOLF-Garden adjustable fruitpicker (attachment £19.99) and separate telescopic handles (from £35.99).  It is a traditional picker with a soft cloth bag for the fruit to fall into .  Alternatively, we also have Kent & Stowe’s Fruitpicker for £24.99.  It is a complete picker with a metal cage on the top.

 

WOLF-Garden adjustable fruitpicker and Kent & Stowe’s Fruitpicker

There is so much fruit now that to be able to store and enjoy some all winter is a bonus.  Here are some tips:

Apples can be stored successfully if wrapped individually in newspaper and layered in wooden crates.  We offer Coolings Apple crates at £21 each.  Check every apple for cuts and bruises and choose only the perfect ones.  Alternatively, use straw or paper shreddings.  Place them in a frost free but cool place (30-35 degrees Fahrenheit).  Pears are best eaten when picked or can be made into chutney – click here for autumn recipes.

If you don’t already have jam jars, we have a very good selection of Ball Preserving Jars and accessories, six 490ml preserving jars £12.99.  When out and about you might come across a Damson tree (wild plums) in the hedgerow, even better after a frost.  Pick them, they make the best jam (and cordial).  It’s very easy  – click here to see autumn recipes.

Plum jam

When it comes to storing vegetables, onions are easy to store.  Let them air dry away from direct sunlight to let the skin harden.  Then store in a cool, dark and dry space.  Mesh bags are ideal to use by hanging them from the ceiling.

Ball Preserving Jars and accessories

If leaves are left long when drying, the onions can be platted together and hung up so air can flow freely around each bundle.  Being Swedish, I prefer to pickle a lot of vegetables.  Nearly everything can be pickled, either sweet or sharp.  My favourite pickled vegetable recipe is on our website – click here for autumn recipes.

Pear Chutney

At Coolings we feel that gardening should always be a pleasure and not back ache, but having the right tools for the job can really make a difference. This autumn you will see an exciting new look to our tool range with an expanded selection.

Kent & Stowe

K&S Stainless Steel Digging Spade – £29.99

K&S Stainless Steel Long Handle Soil Rake – £27.99

K&S Stainless Steel Digging Fork – £29.99

One of my best garden tools is an old spade that was my grandad’s. For me it is not just an heirloom but a lovely crafted British-made spade with a good ash wood handle which has been worn in just the right places to make it comfortable.

Old can be great, but when you need a new or complimentary tool, Kent & Stowe does not fall short, with a range covering carbon steel, stainless steel and top-end cuttings tools. Based upon the designs of garden tools from the 1800s, the range has a traditional look and they have all been designed in the UK.

Burgon & Ball

Tools don’t come with a better pedigree! British-made and produced in Sheffield since 1730, these are some of the finest tools in the world. All Burgon & Ball tools are covered by a no-quibble lifetime guarantee and will exceed your expectations. Many Burgon & Ball tools are also endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, have won numerous awards, and are widely respected amongst serious gardeners. However, pedigree does not mean boring! Burgon & Ball’s latest “RHS Gift for Gardeners” was awarded the Sword of Excellence ‘because it effortlessly combines functionality with stunning design’.

So if you want to give a tool to be treasured to that special someone this autumn, give them one that will last a generation (or more!).

B&B Mid Handled Claw – RHS Endorsed – £14.95

B&B Passiflora Trowel & Fork – £19.95

B&B Chrysanthemum Gift Set – £64.95

There is so much fruit to enjoy now that to be able to store and enjoy some all winter is a bonus.  Here are some recipes to make good use of your pickings…

Pear Chutney

You need:

• 1Kg pears – peeled, cored and chopped
• 250ml malt vinegar
• 100g granulated sugar
• 100g dark brown soft sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 30mins
Ready in 45 mins.

How to:
1. In a saucepan combine all ingredients. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 30mins stirring frequently until pears are tender.
2. Immediately spoon chutney into hot, sterilised jars and seal.
3. Once cooled store in a cool, dark place. Open jars easily. Keeps for 3-4 weeks in the fridge.
If you don’t already have jam jars we have a very good selection of Ball Preserving jars and accessories. 6 x 190ml preserving jars £12.99. When out and about you might come across a damson tree (wild plums) in the hedgerow even better after a frost. Pick them, they make the best jam (and cordial) it is very easy – here is how…

Damson Jam

You need:

• 1kg Damsons
• 300ml water
• 1.3kg jam sugar

How to:
1. Wash and wipe damsons, remove stalks. Place in a large, wide pan with the water. Simmer gently until soft. Press damsons against the side of the pan as they cook to release the stones. Use a slotted spoon to remove stones.
2. Simmer until reduced by about half.
3. Add the sugar, stirring until dissolved, then bring to the boil and let boil rapidly for a bout 10 mins until jam sets when tested. To test for setting point use a sugar thermometer – setting point is at 105°C. Place a saucer in the freezer. When jam has boiled for 5 mins, dollop a teaspoon of jam onto the cooled saucer and return to freezer, after a couple of minutes run a finger through the jam, it should wrinkle and feel thick. If not continue boiling for a couple of minutes on a low heat. Keep testing.
4. Allow to cool for 10 min, remove the scum with a slotted spoon. Pour into warm sterilised jars, fill tight up to the top then cover immediately with waxed discs and cellophane tops or lids.
5. It will keep up to a year in a cool, dark place.

Here is one of my favourite recipes for pickled vegetables…

Pickled Vegetables

You need:

• 1 green courgette
• 1 yellow courgette
• 250g baby onions
• 1 garlic clove
• 500g cherry tomatoes
• 4 sprigs of thyme
• ½ fresh red chilli

Pickling liquid:

• 300ml granulated sugar
• 200ml spirit vinegar 12%
• 200ml water
• 4 bay leaves
• 75ml yellow mustard grains
• 1tbsp allspice grains

How to:
Rinse and slice the courgettes. Peel the onion and garlic. Divide the garlic into cloves. Rinse the tomatoes and remove the stalks. Prick them with a fork or roll them against a grater to puncture the skin. Rinse the thyme and chilli. Deseed the chilli and cut It into fine stripes. Layer the vegetables in warm, sterilised jars. Add the thyme sprigs and chilli. Combine all the ingredients for the pickling liquid in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Pour the liquid over the vegetables in the jars. Seal tightly. Leave to stand for a week before using.
Enjoy with any meal or cheese.

Autumn is the perfect time to plant fruit trees and bushes.  Where space is limited, there are plenty of options for growing tasty crops of fresh, pick-your-own fruit, straight from your garden or outside space.

Raspberry ‘Ruby Beauty’
Raspberry ‘Ruby Beauty’ is the world’s first compact Raspberry and grows to only 1 metre tall, making it perfect for growing in pots.  An added benefit is that it is thornless, making this variety an ideal plant for children to grow.

 Raspberry ‘Ruby Beauty’

Apricot ‘Compacta’
An exciting new introduction for 2017 is Apricot ‘Compacta’.  This is a naturally short self-fertile variety that produces lots of tasty orange fruit.  Ideal when grown in a sheltered sunny spot.  Available from September.

 Apricot ‘Compacta’

Pear ‘Obelisk’ is a sensational self-fertile upright growing dwarf variety ideal where space is limited.  The fruit ripen in October and store well in winter.

 Pear ‘Obelisk’

Blueberries are a really good choice for growing in pots.  We stock many delicious varieties which are easy to grow when planted in ericaceous (acid) compost.  This season we will be offering a very exciting new variety called ‘Lucky Berry’, which has attractive white bell flowers producing berries for 4 months from July until October!  Blueberries are packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants and can be easily home grown rather than flown from the other side of the world!

 Blueberry ‘Lucky Berry’

We are excited to be able to offer this year a lovely range of quality dwarf patio standard fruit trees that are ideal for growing in pots.  Varieties available include Patio Apple ‘Croquella’, Patio Pear ‘Luisa’, Patio Cherries ‘Stella’ Compact and ‘Piemont’, and Patio Plums ‘Mirabelle’ and ‘Hanna’.  For those with a conservatory or cold greenhouse for over-wintering, we will also be offering Patio Peach ‘Bonanza’ and Nectarine ‘Nectarella’.

    Cherries ‘Stella’ Compact and Nectarine ‘Nectarella’

With all this choice from Coolings there really is no excuse not to have a fruitful autumn!

For tips on picking fruit and on how to store them over the winter click here.

Whether they are used for dividing, lending structure or simply to add beauty – hedges are the secret of every good garden. And now’s the time to plant them…

Bare-root hedging offers an easy to plant solution to hedging at home and is much cheaper than putting up a fence! It forms an attractive boundary more quickly than many gardeners imagine and maintaining them is not much work – certainly much less than a lawn or border. As well as providing structure to the garden, they can be perfect for wildlife, and particularly nesting birds.

What are bare-root hedge plants?
It may sound like we’re stating the obvious but bare rooted hedging plants are pretty much exactly as the name describes; a plant with exposed roots, as opposed to being surrounded by soil. Bare-roots are available from the end of November to March/April, which is known in the gardening world as the dormant season. This is the natural resting period of plants, which allows them to be lifted, transported, stored and replanted without causing any shock or damage to the root system.

Generally, bare-root plants are deciduous so they can seem slightly disappointing when they arrive as the plants will be dormant. However, what you really get is a substantial root system, a decent amount of stem and side shoots. Once you plant your bare roots you will really reap the rewards come Spring when your plants flourish.

This year we have a great selection of evergreen and deciduous bare root hedging plants now in stock. Choose from:

1) Green Beech – Fagus sylvatica 

2) Purple Beech – Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropurpurea’

3) Field Maple – Acer campestre

4) Hawthorn – Crataegus monogyna

5) Hazel – Corylus avellana

6) Hornbeam – Carpinus betulus

7) Privet – Ligustrum ovalifolium

 

8) Sloe/Blackthorn – Prunus spinosa

 

Why are bare-rooted plants so cost effective?

• They cost less to grow – Once planted they are left in the fields for years (until ready for purchase) instead of being re-potted year on year.
• They cost less to transport – They do not carry with them a large weight of soil, so you do not bear the cost of the soil.
• Buy more spend less – If you are planting a large hedge or need very tall plants, bare roots work out much cheaper than the equivalent quantity or weight in other root types.

When should I plant them?

The bare-root type is only available when the plants are completely dormant, from November to late April/early May. We now have our full stock in and we would recommend purchasing within the next month or so before our stocks start to run low, and planting them as soon as you buy them (as long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged).

Bare Root Hedging £2.99 each (up to 80cm)- Buy 10 or more for £2.79 each (Exc. Purple Beech).
Prices may vary please see individual varieties.

Gardening should always be a pleasure and not back ache, and having the right tools for the job can really make a difference. Here are some of our suggestions…

Top of the list is dealing with Leaves!

You can’t do much better than Kent & Stowe’s Ultimate Leaf Rake with its super strength wooden handle and 30” ergonomic curved head. To top it off, it’s a steal at £7.99!

If raking doesn’t float your boat then try the Bosch ALS 2500 Leaf Blower. Its variable speeds and 2500watt motor can cope with either a light dusting or the more persistent sticky, wet leaves. It has an adjustable handle and padded shoulder strap for comfortable use without pain in your shoulders or arms. It comes with a 45 litre collection bag so you will be able to collect quite a lot before it will need emptying. At £89.99 it’s a bit pricier compared to the rake, but worth it for the time and energy saved!

 

If all else fails then I find getting the children involved is always a winner! Leaf pick up is an ideal chore for young people who are eating you out of house and home. Make sure they have some quality, well-fitted gloves and let them learn the old-fashioned way! Alternatively, give them some leaf grabs to help them, such as Garland Heavy Duty Hand Leaf Grabs £9.99. Then, when they are ready for power tools, let them grab a hold of that sweet new blower!

Next up – the lawn…

You can’t beat a Traditional Besom Broom for sweeping away worm casts. It’s not the activity of the worms naturally aerating the soil, but the detrimental effect of their casts that cause the problems. The soil making up the casts is very slimy as it consists of natural secretions from the worm’s digestive system. As the casts get smeared across the lawn (by mowing/walking) it doesn’t take long before the whole lawn becomes very muddy and slippery. Plus, as they are the traditional Witches broom they will also be useful for a fly-by at Halloween! £7.99.

Paths and Patios…

As the majority of the autumn months are spent sweeping up leaves and debris, we thought it only right to draw your attention to our Groundsman range of brooms and brushes. For many years Harris has been the UK’s leading paint brush manufacturer. The Groundsman range has been introduced by Harris Victory with the English country garden in mind. We have lots of choice in store so you will be able to find the perfect one for you.

Burgon & Ball have made our lives easy with their Miracle Block Paving Brush (£10.99). The brush removes moss from between the slabs with a single stroke – no scrubbing required! Its strong bristles spring back to shape time after time and best of all…there’s no back strain. There is also a Miracle Patio Surface Brush (£21.99) – Galvanized spring steel bristles gently clean the surface whilst tough flexible polypropylene bristles gather debris…genius!

Leave the mess at the door…

With these highly absorbent cotton Ulti-Mats from Smart Garden (£9.99). They trap moisture and dirt at the door! Plus, they have some lovely autumn designs to choose from.

Autumn, in my opinion the most spectacular of all seasons, is an amazing time to be out in the garden. Here is my list of must have herbaceous perennials that will add texture and colour to your outdoor space during this special time of year.

Heuchera ‘Fire Chief’
With hundreds of cultivars and colours to choose, from the reds of ‘Cherry Cola’ and ‘Fire Chief’ to the lime greens of ‘Lime Marmalade’ and ‘Key Lime Pie’, there is Heuchera for every part of the garden. Happy in sun or shade.

Saxifraga ‘Blackberry and Apple Pie’
Saxifraga is a wide group of plants, however look out for ‘Blackberry and Apple Pie’ this autumn. This fantastic small space filler thrives in shade. Check out the bright red underside of the foliage…spectacular!

Schizostylis or Hesperantha
Schizostylis coccinea ‘Major’
This stunning semi-evergreen perennial has small gladiolus-like flowers and will shine from September all the way to November. This beauty can also take light shade.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
A must for any wildlife enthusiast, Sedums will flower from late summer through the autumn and keep your bees and butterflies happy at a time when most needed.

Anenome ‘Honorine Jobert’
Easy care, reliable and lasting colour from early autumn. The white flowers of ‘Honorine Jobert’ will brighten your garden on any gloomy autumn day.

Euphorbia ‘Glacier Blue’
Very hardy, evergreen and with many different shapes and styles. Silver variegated varieties are a must for stunning autumn foliage. As an added benefit look out for amazing spring flower bracts.

Aster ‘Mönch’
The cheery flowers of Michaelmas Daisies make Asters a must have plant for year after year autumn colour.

Planted pots and hanging baskets are a guaranteed way to add colour and interest to your garden through the autumn and winter months.

A great way to design your own planters is to visit Coolings and fill your trolley, thinking about elements of height, background colour and trailing interest.

Colourful Background Plants

Winter Pansies (1), Violas, Mini-Cyclamen, hardy Primroses, Polyanthus, Ornamental Kale, and hardy Dianthus (2) are all popular choices. Winter Pansies provide flower power from autumn to spring. Autumn planting ensures good bud formation and better winter flowering.

Violas are tough little fellows whose smaller flowers withstand the winter chills. Violas are great for vibrant colour schemes as are Polyanthus and Primrose – both will provide all the colours of the rainbow. Mini-cyclamen are fab for adding instant colour in sheltered locations.

Winter Pansies and Vibrant Violas

Not only do Sweet William offer great colour but autumn planting ensures you will have a fragrant spring garden too.

 Sweet Williams

Autumn flowering Heathers (3) are a superb choice that are also a great sourcer of late nectar for Bees. The Garden Girls Heather series was only introduced to Coolings a couple of years ago but they have been a fabulous introduction. Tough as the hills, these garden beauties will flower for months.

 Garden Girls Heather

Contrasting foliage elements like wiry silver Calocephalus brownii (4) add real interest. The leaves of Heuchera (5) are beautiful and perfectly capture the red, purple and coppery tones of autumn. Small evergreen Ferns are a novel choice if you fancy an unusual element to your arrangement. Look out for the gold splashed fronds of Aristata variegata (6).

Added Height

Starting with a centre plant there are many possibilities.  New for 2017 Solanum ‘Venus’ is an improved variety that is covered with attractive orange berries giving planters a really autumnal feel.

An evergreen grass such as Festuca ‘Intense Blue’ (7) or Stipa tenuissima (8) will make a tactile focal point.

A centrally placed garden Chrysanthemum will give a dome of flowers into the autumn, they also boast bold colours that encapsulate the nostalgic feeling of autumn.

 Chrysanthemums

Small Conifers are perfect in containers. Try slow growing Thuja ‘Golden Smaragd’ (9) which makes an attractive candle of burnished foliage.

Evergreen Trailing Interest

Vinca ‘Illumination’ (10) is a great alternative to Ivy and has glossy evergreen golden variegated leaves. An added bonus are the violet blue Periwinkle flowers in spring.

Gold and silver Thyme (11) are beautiful and bring the added benefit of scent to the edge of planters.

Ajuga, (12) known commonly as ‘Trailing Bugle’, are a less well-known choice but have attractive foliage and unusual flowers in spring.

Trailing Pansies and Violas are a superb choice for cascading colour from autumn until spring.  Our favourite this season is Pansy ‘Coolwave’.

Trailing Pansy ‘Coolwave’

People often make the mistake of delaying re-planting too long. Take advantage of autumn warmth to really establish later season plants before the cold weather sets in. Don’t forget that choosing the right pot is important to really showcase your plants – while at Coolings you can browse our huge range of pots and get free expert advice from our team of staff.

NEW to the UK and to Coolings!

Dutch home interiors company PTMD has a collection of lighting, pots, glassware, furniture, textiles, artificial flowers, candles, diffusers and (wall) decoration that are extremely successful across Europe and are now beginning to arrive in the UK.  Their stylists travel the world to ethically source some of the most unique products, collaborating with professional artists and skilled producers to create the unique, chic and stylish collection.

The Orangery Collection, set up by Lolly Lee, is the UK importer of PTMD and last month they set up the first PTMD “shops” in the UK and guess what…..Coolings was one of them along with Taverham Nurseries in Norfolk!

We are delighted to be one of the first in the UK to stock this premium brand and to offer our customers this sophisticated and elegant collection of garden and home accessories which we handpicked from the huge 7000+ product range available.

We can’t wait for you to see it!