Category: Plants

Coolings Green & Pleasant are delighted to scoop first place for ‘Greenest Garden Centre’ at the 2015 Garden Retail Awards.

The Garden Retail Awards celebrates the best of the garden retail industry. They are an exceptional opportunity to showcase services, ingenuity and successes. The Awards are presented by the horticulture industry’s leading business and professional magazine, Garden Retail.

The ‘Greenest Garden Centre’ award was presented to Coolings Green & Pleasant in recognition of the environmental successes that we have continued to build upon since our re-opening in 2009 (following substantial redevelopment) as one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the UK.

For full details of our win please click here.

The Awards were held at The Connaught Hotel in London on 26th February 2015. Some 350 garden industry figures watched as Coolings Chairman, Paul Cooling and wife Carol Cooling collected their award for Greenest Garden Centre in the UK.

“Receiving an award at the fabulous awards ceremony in London was an incredible experience that made us feel very proud and strengthened our team ethic even more. The award means that Coolings has one more offer that gives customers confidence in dealing with a business that cares about them and the environment. The environment and being green are important to us and not just a fashion.” Paul Coolings, Chairman.

219 and still counting…and that’s just our new herbaceous plants this year!

Spring in our gardens is always an exciting time. You discover forgotten plants emerging that you put in during the autumn and are no doubt enjoying all those bulbs you planted. So, what’s new for 2015 on herbaceous?

As you are probably aware if you have visited us through the winter months, we are redesigning the area. All our stock will now be displayed on benches so you will no longer have to shop the area from ground level! To complement the new look our Nursery Team are continuing with all our regular A-Z range, with lots of added extras to spice it up and keep up with the ever-changing trends in gardening.

Some of my own favourites for the coming year include:

Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’

Is one of the earliest to flower and is most distinctive because of its plain green foliage. Bright blue blooms throughout March and April, gradually fading to purple with age.

Acanthus mollis ‘Hollands Gold’

Is one of the few plants that will tolerate deep shade or bright sunlight, dry or moist conditions.  In spring the new shoots are buttercup-yellow, opening to a flowing golden green.

Geranium ‘Dragon Heart’

Has large magena saucer-shaped flowers with black centres.  Flowers continuously throughout the summer.

Hosta ‘White Feather’

Large, pure white lush leaves emerge in late spring.  Throughout the summer green streaks develop on the foliage creating an unusual yet striking effect.  Unlike other varieties it will tolerate a sunny position.

Brunnera ‘Mr Morse’

Heart-shaped silvery leaves have distinctive green veining.  Numerous star-like white flowers in spring.

New for April 2015 and award winning introduction from last year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show:

Trollius ‘Dancing Flame’

Look out during April for our new Trollius ‘Dancing Flame’.  With its good bud colour, striking orange open flowers and sturdy upright stems, it is a fantastic plant for any herbaceous border.  It is suited to any soil, thrives in sun or part shade and is more floriferous than other varieties.

New to gardening?  Not sure where to start?  Overwhelmed by the huge array of plants and garden products? 

We are always looking for new ways to inspire people to love their gardens and outdoor spaces.  For novice gardeners the huge array of plants and garden products can sometimes seem a little intimidating.  For this reason we have developed an area called Coolings Creative – the outdoors made easy.

The new “Coolings Creative” range is designed to help our customers acheive the look and feel they want whatever their level of knowledge.

Whether you want to create a more meditteranean feel, a cottage garden look, a formal garden or simply fill your garden with plants that birds and bees will love, then we have the ideas for you along with themed displays and a  step by step guide of how to create it.

The new Coolings creative range can be found on the left hand side of our plant area (turn left out of our shop) it is fronted by our Coolings Double Decker Display Bus (our own piece of creativity)!.

If you are looking for a more bespoke, individual garden consultation then you may prefer to enlist the help of one of our experienced garden designers to come and visit your garden and talk you through your options and make recommendations.  For full details on our Design and Planting services please click here.

So, Whether you want to ‘makeover’ your garden, achieve a certain look or you need advice and help on what plants to buy and what to plant where, we can help you.

Don’t just take our word for it, click here to hear from one of our recent customers who enlisted our help to redesign her garden.

Neudorff Super Cat Repellent 500g – £5.49

Are cats a problem for you? Keep them away for longer (3-4 weeks) with this natural substance based cat repellent

Wagner pot movers – from £7.49
Make your life a little easier with our new range of contemporary and classic (indoor and outdoor) pot movers. German made and quality components they will live up your expectations.

Growing Success GrowQube 6kg – £4.99
For a bumper crop of tomatos, chillies or peppers try the new GrowQube, produces exceptional crops in an easy to carry 6kg pack!

Karcher Watering System Trickle Hose Set – £39.99
A new range of premium watering systems from Karcher. With a wide range to choose from make sure none of your plants go thirsty this summer!

Panacea Home & Garden Range – from £8.99
With a wide range of metal structures for both home and garden this new range is bound to draw attention.

Empathy Tomato Starter / Basket Starter – from £2.99
An easy to use coir ‘biscuit’ to offer the best possible start for your baskets and tomatoes. Recommended by the RHS and containing biologically active ingredients.

Also coming this spring exciting new ranges of fencing from Grange and hard landscaping / paving from Kelkay

At Coolings we offer a superb range of fresh herbs. Why scrabble around in the back of the cupboard for those dismal jars of grey and dusty dried herbs when growing your own is so easy and rewarding? Mint is perhaps the easiest of the lot.

Say mint and most people think of mint sauce for lamb or a sprig of English Mint on tasty new potatoes. Perhaps Spearmint chewing gum. But we offer over 25 varieties to tickle your taste buds and tempt you to try something new!

(Banana Mint)

Did you know there is an Apple-scented mint?

Or a Banana-scented Mint?

Or a Basil-scented Mint?

We have a Chocolate-scented Mint!

(Chocolate Mint)

And a Grapefruit-scented Mint!

And a Ginger-scented Mint!

(Ginger Mint)

How about a fragrant Lavender-scented Mint?

Or a zingy Lime-scented Mint?

(Lime Mint)

Why not try a delicious Orange-scented Mint?

Or staying with the fruit theme, a Pineapplescented Mint?

(Pineapple Mint)

We even have a Curley Mint!

Great fun to grow the different types, ring the changes and get experiMINTing this summer!

From Alyssum and Aubretia to Zauschneria, we stock a fantastic range of alpines from early spring through to late autumn. Carefully planned planting can ensure that you have a colourful rock garden all year round.

(Zauschneria)

Miniature spring flowering bulbs such as Galanthus (snowdrops) and Narcissus Tete-a-Tete get the year off to a good start. Aubretia, Rhodohypoxis, Campanula, Veronica, Saxifrage, Sedum, and Gentians all follow well and provide continuous colour throughout spring and summer.

(Aubretia and Rhodohypoxis)

Helianthemums come in a wide range of colours ,pinks, whites, reds, yellows and oranges. Camassia and Alliums will give some height between the low growers. The Primula family flower in spring and autumn giving good colourful hues.

(Camassia)

Cylamen hederifolium flowers from September to November and Cyclamen Coum flowers from January to March, giving a splash of colour in those cold winter
months. Dwarf Dianthus are easy to grow and flower freely in a well-drained sunny site.

Making a rock garden is simple and growing in containers when space is limited can be fun if using something quirky to grow in. Plant in old teapots or buckets, or even shoes and boots for novelty. Use John Innes No.1 and coarse grit at a ratio of 50:50 for good drainage. Pots and containers can be topped with shingle or slate for a good-looking finish.

When planning a new alpine garden, ground preparation is the key to success. Good drainage is essential, so if your garden is on clay make sure you dig in lots of coarse grit to improve drainage. Lay Mypex to prevent weed growth. Plant through the Mypex when you have decided the planting plan by making a cross in the Mypex with a sharp knife. Cover Mypex with decorative shingle or slate.

It’s easy to keep the alpine attraction going. If you need advice just ask any of our knowledgeable staff.

nterested in taking a course with us but are not sure which course is best for you? Here at Coolings we like to think of ourselves as a beacon of educational excellence but much friendlier and relaxed than other establishments.

There are so many reasons why you would want to take a course with us:

• We have inspirational lecturing staff who make learning easy and fun
• We have a purpose-built working area for practicals
• Exams are all optional. Perfect for students who are interested in learning but don’t want the pressure of exams at the end
• We have our own gardens and production nursery where students are encouraged to take part in practicals, and which enable them to gain an insight into our industry
• Light refreshments are included as part of your course
• We have a glamorous awards evening for those completing a course of a year or more
• All students receive a 15% Coolings Discount card!
• And all of this is included in the fee of your course!

From September 2014:

RHS Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture level 2 (2 Years)
Have fun whilst learning about all aspects of plants and their cultivation.
Suitable for all keen gardeners whether novice/experienced, young/old.
Take the plunge…you won’t want the course to end!

Garden Horizons: Plants, Scents and Senses (1 year)
Fascinated by plants?

Enjoy lively classes, visiting beautiful gardens and engaging with fellow gardeners!

Garden Horizons – From Past to Present : a global look at plant
Fascinated by plants?
Enjoy lively classes, visiting beautiful gardens and engaging with fellow gardeners!

How to be a Successful Gardener (1 Year)
The title says it all!

EVENING CLASSES

RHS Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture level 2 (2 Years)
Have fun whilst learning about all aspects of plants and their cultivation.
Suitable for all keen gardeners whether novice/experienced, young/old.

Plus, Short 8 week courses through the year
A great way to build your gardening skills!
A good mix of discussion and practical sessions

For more information on our courses please call Neil or Lesley on 01959 532269.

Here at Coolings we have a dedicated team who have been with us for many years. As you may know, Ian Hazon is our Production & Operations Director, and he shares some of his experiences over the years.

Have you had an interest in plants for a long time?
My parents and grandparents were all keen gardeners. Several members of my family also had farms with livestock and growing crops so I guess it was inevitable that some of it would rub off on me. At the age of about 12 I realised you could take a packet of seeds and turn them into plants which could be sold for extra pocket money. I soon bought a second-hand greenhouse and went on from there. My first Saturday job was selling plants at my Uncle’s shop and following work experience from school, I started at a commercial nursery.

So how long have you worked at Coolings?
Following my training, 3 years of which was spent studying commercial horticulture, I started at Coolings in August 1991, some 22 years ago. The position for Glasshouse Production Foreman was advertised on a card on the jobs board at college. Over the years I took control of the glasshouse production as Michael Cooling retired and in January 2009 I was appointed a Director.

What’s it like being Production & Operations Director?
The role is very varied but enjoyable and rewarding with its fair share of challenges. With crop production alone no two years are ever the same so we are constantly tweaking the cropping, trying to ensure the Nursery is growing the right amount of plants. Being involved with planning the developments at Coolings means we are always trying to look ahead at what might be needed in the future, we are not just building a business for today.

What is a typical day for you?
During the spring I try to devote most of my time to the Nursery. We have a very capable team ensuring all the tasks get done. Once the spring season is over I concentrate on plant orders for the following year and the other projects the company is working on. Recently this has been the refurbishments in Arthurs, looking ahead we now have planning permission for the redevelopment of the Shop.

What has been your favourite experience whilst working for Coolings?
There really have been many but it has been great to see the business grow to meet the needs of our customers. Watching members of the team succeed in their roles and gain promotion is also very rewarding. Coolings celebrated its centenary this year and it was wonderful to share this occasion with the team when we all went to the House of Commons for dinner, accompanied by Peter Seabrook who I remember watching on lunchtime television, Pebble Mill At One, when I was quite young. I did share this with him and he muttered something about feeling old…

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to talk to us, Ian.

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aHere at Coolings, we understand the importance of active learning at all ages. That’s why, in Spring 2014, our Busy Bee Gardener will be visiting schools to lead FREE gardening workshops and award prizes for green-fingered efforts! And it’s so easy for your school to be involved, simply contact Jane Wiseman by email janewiseman@localhost.coolings0909.com or call 01959 532269.

The Busy Bee Gardener caters for ages 4-11. The children will learn how “Plants are like people!” looking at exactly what they need to grow. We also cover: seed sowing, bulb planting and the science of gardening (Did you know that volcanic rock helps your seeds to grow?)

And that’s not all! Throughout 2014 we’re running tours and special events which we know your pupils will just love to be involved in.

Tours at Coolings
Why not bring your Pupils to Coolings for a guided tour of the garden centre & production nursery? Come along and see our fabulous potting robot and nurturing reservoirs! The visit includes a planting workshop, giving you and your pupils the skills to produce a wonderful garden back at school. All of our school tours are followed by light refreshments.

Schools Vouchers – Starts again in September
Register to raise money for your school to buy plants & gardening equipment! Collect schools vouchers with Coolings, The Gardener’s Garden Centre. Each voucher is worth 20p to the school and will be awarded for every £5 the customer spends with us.

The schools signed up to voucher scheme are:

Bickley Primary, Brown’s School, St. Philomena’s Primary, Otford Primary, St. Katherine’s Primary, Wickham Common Primary, Bickley Park Prep School, St Thomas’s Primary School, Ide Hill Primary, Hayes Common School, Amherst School, New Beacon School, The Granville School, Darrick Wood Junior School, Sundridge & Brastead Primary School, Kemsing Primary School

For more information on registration or redemption of vouchers please contact Jane Wiseman at janewiseman@localhost.coolings0909.com.

Schools Garden Competition 2014
Whether you have a garden, window box, hanging basket … or just a wheelbarrow, your school can enter our Schools Garden Competition. 1st prize £200 2nd prize £100 3rd prize £50 Coolings vouchers. All entries will receive a certificate.

School discount card…. All schools receive a 20% discount card when they register