Cuttings Spring/Summer 2026

SPRING & SUMMER

From buds to full bloom!

Welcome to Coolings Get Gardening with Gary

Dear Friends,

It is with great excitement and optimism that we look forward to the summer. However, it is now a naturally advantageous time to plant perennials and shrubs, allowing them time to establish a little before any hot weather. And with planting in mind, we hope you find inspiration within these pages to help you start planning your spring and summer garden.

One garden trend you may have seen is a concept creating a relaxing border or corner that does not in fact feature a single flower! The concept is colour-drenching achieved by various shades of green foliage plants such as Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Variegatum’, ferns, Fatsia japonica and Hosta that look incredible together.

One new introduction that’s caught my eye and will be included into my garden, and both the Pump Garden and Arthurs Garden, is Hydrangea ‘Groundbreaker’. These revolutionary dwarf Hydrangeas are perfect for front of border planting, even thriving in shade.

Whether you need plants for shade or for hanging baskets, want to overhaul your front garden or grow vegetables in pots for the first time we’ll give you the inspiration you need. Our team of experts are only too happy to share their knowledge with you.

In fact, you are warmly invited to join our team for a tour of our main production nursery in Knockholt during April - please do come and find out how they pot 40,000 plants a week to supply our sites in Kent and Sussex. Over 90% of the plants we sell are grown on English nurseries and the majority by our own nurseries in Kent and Sussex.

We hope you will also enjoy your exclusive Coolings Family offers to be found in the edition, in tandem with regular emails throughout this spring and beyond. Do ensure that we have your email address registered so you can receive the most up-to-date news and offers.

Our restaurants and tea rooms continue to offer sumptuous freshly prepared food and a new coffee addition which you can read about in this issue. To add to your enjoyment of Coolings, our Lifestyle site in Knockholt also offers a wonderful range of garden furniture and many beautiful things for inside your home, and we have a host of concession partners across our sites too. (See insert).

On behalf of the Coolings team, we look forward to welcoming you to visit us this coming spring and summer.

Gary Carvosso Chairman

Dark-leaved Divas

Introducing these stunning dark-leaved Hydrangea, that make a statement! They are the talk of the trade this season!

Hydrangea ‘Eclipse Red’ (349480)

New

Hydrangea ‘Eclipse Purple’ (349481)

Multi Purpose

Compost

Versatile, highquality compost suitable for containers, beds and baskets. Trusted and used on our own nursery.

Must Haves for the Season

Shop our specially chosen plants and products that our Coolings' experts advise are a 'must' for the months ahead. Coolings

Striking Sizzler

Beautiful addition to our superb Geum range, this vibrant and fiery perennial will give your garden an early sizzle from April right through to July. Long-lasting blooms will attract pollinators.

Geum ‘Foxy Tempest’

Easy Feed

One simple application is all it takes! Delivers steady nutrition for up to 6 months for strong and healthy growth. Get vibrant plants outside and indoors, its ideal for all.

Sweet Blooms

Look out for these fantastic perennial Sweet Peas that smell amazing and come back year after year!

Lathyrus ‘Pink Pearl’ (192618)

Lathyrus ‘Red Pearl’ (162520)

Multi-Tasking

Mulch

An all-in-one soil conditioner, weed suppressant, slug repellent and natural general fertiliser, just spread on your beds and let the organic goodness slowly feed your soil and boost plant performance for up to 3 months.

Colourful Spring

The months of March and April can see mild days but chilly nights, so although it is still too early to plant out summer bedding there are plenty of hardy colourful choices to bring joy at this time.

Come-back Colour Perennials

Instant Colour Spring Bedding

(184906)

Spring is the season of renewal, with new life bursting into the world in nature and in the garden.

Spring Flowering Small Place Plants

We are renowned for our huge range of quality home grown plants. We grow over 80% of our own Bedding Plants and our nursery team have been busy potting and planting to ensure we can fill your garden with colour this spring and summer.To see how we produce this many plants, why not just come along to one of our behind-the-scenes nursery tours. No need to book, tour lasts around an hour. www.coolings.co.uk/events-all/

Mind the Gap!

Shrubs for Seasonal Structure

Early spring, February - April, is the ideal time to fill in those gaps that appear in your borders. These woody shrubs form the structural features of most gardens and are ideal to create layers of interest and texture. Fill in with bushes of differing height and form working from the front to the very back of your border.

New

Hydrangea ‘Groundbreaker’

These revolutionary dwarf Hydrangeas are perfect for front of border planting. Especially useful in shady sites.

Available in Blush (161728), Ruby (161721) and Green (161720) colourways.

1.5 Litre £19.99

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry bush) Stand-out tall, structural shrub with red bark, glossy green leaves, white lanternshaped flowers and striking red fruits in autumn.

10 Litre £79.99 (302239)

Go

Ground & edge cover flowering shrubs

New

Deutzia ‘Prettistar Pink Carpet’

A new little lovely for the front of the border!

3 Litre £21.99 (159760)

Ceanothus ‘Blue Mound’

Low evergreen dome smothered in blue blooms in early summer. Perfect for sunny spots.

3 Litre £21.99 (187042)

Hebe ‘Dark Secret’

Attractive Dark foliage and deep blue flowers loved by bees!

2 Litre £19.99 (317525)

Medium height flowering shrubs

Spiraea ‘Shirobana’

A Jacob’s Coat of pleasing pink and white flowers.

3 Litre £21.99 (194977)

Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’

Feathery evergreen with scented white flowers.

3 Litre £21.99 (186140)

Philadelphus ‘Pearls of Perfume’

Beautifully fragrant flowers for early summer.

3 Litre £21.99 (325064)

These bigger shrubs add height and accent colour

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Variegatum’

Glossy silver variegated foliage evergreen ideal to cover a fence.

15 Litre £79.99 (205575)

Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’

The snowball bush, a truly stunning display of white globes in early summer.

3 Litre £22.99 (194614)

Photinia ‘Red Robin’

The ever-popular evergreen with attractive red new-season foliage and white flowers in late spring.

9 Litre £24.99 (326237)

Behind the Blooms

Becky, a member of our Nursery Team, based at Coolings, Rushmore Hill, gives a little insight into our seasonal bedding wonders

“I have been with the Nursery Team for 4 years having completed my RHS Level 2 qualification here at Coolings. My role, along with the team, is to produce a fantastic range of excellent quality bedding plants that are then available across all our plant centres throughout the season. This year we will be growing close to a million plants ready for you to buy to brighten up your gardens, balconies and allotments!’’

Cutting Vs. Seed Raised Bedding

We often get a lot of questions about the difference between our multi-packs and premium pot bedding.

The answer is in how the plants are grown...

Our multi-packs tend to be grown from seed and produced with the help of our robotic planter! Each plant will be slightly different, like siblings in a family, so you will see slight variations, but they're strong, adaptable plants with great value for money. Ideal for planting large beds where you want plenty of colour.

Our Premium pots are grown from cuttings taken from a parent plant, selected from the best of the best. This means they are genetically identical, so they'll look very uniform. Hand planted by our nursery team and ideal for hanging baskets, pots and formal displays.

Come to our Planting Workshops

Learn how to plant your own hanging basket or container and how to care for it. Choose plants from a selection provided and get creative! Booking is essential. Refreshments and all materials included. £35 per head. 13th & 14th May at 11am & 2pm, 15th May at 11am, 16th May at 9.30am.

Home Grown Cutting Raised Pots

Coolings Premium Bedding each

Upright Geranium Deep Pink 1 Litre (314667)

Osteospermum ‘Dalina Compact Orange Brique’ 1 Litre (316775)

Bacopa ‘White’ 1 Litre (195294)

Coolings Premium Bedding 9cm £3.99 each

Bidens Yellow Trailing (251064)

Home Grown Seed Raised Packs

Coolings Essential Bedding Multi-Pack £4.99 per pack

Cosmos Dwarf ‘Carmine’ (282840)

If you would like to purchase any of the products online, just type in the six-digit number to help you shop easily.

Impatiens ‘Beacon Rose’ (292104)

Hardy geraniums - not to be confused with bedding plant ‘geraniums’ which are more correctly termed Pelargoniums - are among the quiet heroes of British gardens, earning their place through resilience, charm and sheer versatility.

Commonly known as ‘Cranesbills’ due to their long seed capsules, they are perfectly suited to the UK’s temperate climate. They thrive in everything from sun-drenched borders to tricky dry shade, coping cheerfully with changeable weather and poor soils alike.

Once established, they are remarkably low maintenance, forming attractive mounds of foliage that suppress weeds and return reliably year after year. Many varieties flower over a long season, some from late spring well into autumn, offering excellent value for gardeners who want lasting colour without constant attention.

Beyond their toughness, hardy geraniums bring a natural elegance that fits effortlessly into both traditional cottage gardens and contemporary schemes. Their open, nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators, making them a smart choice for wildlife-friendly planting.

With cultivars ranging from soft pastels to vibrant blues and magentas, and foliage that can be richly coloured, there is a Cranesbill for almost every setting.

Perfect for shade

Geranium phaeum ‘Album’

2 Litre £15.99 (186430)

Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’ 3 Litre £15.99 (165354)

Geranium x can ‘Cambridge’ 2 Litre £15.99 (165485)

Fancy favourites

Geranium ‘Boom Chocolatta’ 2 Litre £15.99 (318197)

Geranium ‘Purple Ghost’ 2 Litre £15.99 (242834)

Geranium ‘Summer Skies’ 2 Litre £15.99 (242815)

Low growers for sunny spots

Geranium ‘Pink Pouffe’

2 Litre £15.99 (242218)

Geranium sanguineum var. striatum

2 Litre £15.99 (186602)

Geranium cinereum ‘Jolly Jewel Red’

3 Litre £15.99 (302811)

Long loveliesflowering

Geranium ‘Rozanne’

3 Litre £15.99 (202408)

Geranium ‘Dreamland’ 2 Litre £15.99 (230700)

Geranium ‘Bloom me Away’

3 Litre £15.99 (310293)

1st - 30th April 2026

Every Day 9.30am-4pm at Arthurs & Hybrid Tea Room (excluding 3rd-6th April)

valid 1st - 30th April 2026. Valid for up to two

to availability.

Watch your inbox! Our August Plant and Shop Vouchers will be emailed to you in July. We will also be emailing tailored Catering Offers over the coming months. Please make sure you have registered your email with us as you won’t want to miss out on these extra vouchers! Register online at https://www.coolings.co.uk/about-us/familymembership/add-my-email/ or pop in to our stores to register 1st - 30th April 2026

In order to redeem your vouchers, simply present your Family card and tell the till operator you would like to redeem the offer, we’ll do the rest!

In order to redeem your vouchers, simply present your Family card and tell the till operator you would like to redeem the offer, we’ll do the rest!

Coolings may refuse to redeem the voucher without your Coolings Family card. If for any reason you have mislaid your Coolings Family card, please speak to a member of our team and we will be more than happy to resolve this for you.

* These vouchers are not valid at Coolings Lifestyle.

Coolings may refuse to redeem the voucher without your Coolings Family card. If for any reason you have mislaid your Coolings Family card, please speak to a member of our team and we will be more than happy to resolve this for you.

Romantic Renaissance

A romantic garden border in the English style is all about softness, abundance and a sense of gentle informality, where plants appear to tumble and weave together in effortless harmony. The key lies in thoughtful layering: taller perennials and shrubs provide a graceful backdrop, mid-height plants add fullness and movement, while lower growers spill forward to soften edges and paths. This tiered approach creates depth and richness, allowing colours, textures and scents to unfold gradually, drawing the eye through the border and inviting the gardener to linger.

2 Litre £13.99 (236973)

2

3 Litre £15.99 (242193)

3 Litre £18.99 (231257)

3

3

Rosa ‘Love Struck’

5 Litre £22.99 (246513)

Climbing Rose David Austin

Rosa ‘Strawberry Hill’

6 Litre £35.99 (233693)

Empathy Rootgrow 150g £5.99 (182843)

Tom Chambers Peony Support Large Twin Pack £29.99 (217509)

Weigela florida ‘Big Love’ 3 Litre £21.99 (349116)

Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ 12 Litre £79.99 (188693)

Climbing Clematis ‘Sweet Summer Love’ 3 Litre £22.99 (236643)

Cornus ‘Heart Throb’ 7 Litre £59.99 (159006)

Pump Garden

For further romantic garden inspiration, why not visit our Pump Garden at Coolings Wych Cross. Planted with roses and beautifully formed beds and borders, and a wildlife pond for relaxing inspiration and a real touch of the romantic.

Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre

Foliage over Flowers

If you love your foliage greens over flowers, then the latest trend of colour drenching is just for you. It’s not just an interior design concept, it is currently a prominent gardening trend. Here we explore forms and shades of ‘green’ in all its garden glory!

Shrub Layer

‘Green Horizon’

3 Litre £21.99 ((210205)

10 Litre £54.99 (216230)

Mid Layer

3 Litre £22.99 (169168)

New

Ground Layer

3 Litre £23.99 (184397)

2 Litre £16.99 (194293)

Hosta ‘Devon Green’

Litre £14.99 (248376)

15 Litre £139 (286724)

char.

3 Litre £15.99 (192527)

3 Litre £21.99 (164033)

Formal features

Ligustrum delavayanum Lollipop

18 Litre

£99.99 (162745)

Prunus ‘Sofia’ ball

10 Litre

£54.99 (342193)

Taxus baccata Cone

10 Litre

£69.99 (167004)

Bring Living Sculpture to your Garden

Niwaki is the Japanese art of shaping trees to reflect the beauty of nature in miniature. Rather than forcing plants into rigid forms, it’s about turning trees into living sculptures that add year-round structure and elegance.

For those who love the look but don’t want to wait, preshaped Ilex crenata ‘Niwaki’ Cloud Trees are the perfect solution that offer instant impact you can enjoy straight away.

If you want to wait and let things grow, one of the most popular choices for this is Ilex crenata, also called Japanese Holly. It’s an ideal alternative to box and responds beautifully to cloud pruning.

Because these are evergreens, they provide interest in every season, pairing effortlessly with grasses, gravel, or flowering perennials. Maintenance is also simple, a light trim once or twice a year for Cloud Trees is enough to maintain their elegant outline, making Niwaki accessible even to busy gardeners.

£14.99 (247536)

(236185)

for Drought Resilience

As gardens in the South East adapt to hotter, drier summers, Mediterranean style planting offers a timely solution. The look is defined by a Pantone led colour palette with clear planting ratios. The result is a restrained, sun-washed aesthetic that references Mediterranean landscapes while remaining resilient enough for the variable conditions of southern England.

Plant around 50% whites and silvers to reflect light and reduce visual heat.

Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’

3 Litre £21.99 (185919) Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pyjamas’

2 Litre £15.99 (285136)

Plant around 30% blues or purples to create calm structure

Lavandula ‘Imperial Gem’

2 Litre £17.99 (187638)

Plant around 20%

yellows to introduce depth and contrast

Halimium ‘April Sun’

2 Litre

£21.99 (224906)

Santolina chamaecyparissus

3 Litre £21.99 (186457)

If you would like to purchase any of the products online, just type in the six-digit number to help you shop easily.

Smart Aquagel

400g £6.99 (292652)

Water storing crystals help avoid overwatering and underwatering of plants.The crystals absorb the water and then gradually release it to the plant reducing watering requirements. Perfect for hanging baskets, pots, and containers.

Coolings Decorative

Bark Chips

70 Litre £10.49 (303501)

Having a layer of bark over your borders helps to stop the evaporation of water and reduce the amount of watering required.The soil beneath the bark retains its moisture to prevent your plants from drying out.

Slimline Water Butt Kit (Black)

100 Litre £39.99 (279953)

Includes tap, lid, diverter, and stand.

Water butts are a great way to collect and store rainwater to help the environment and save water. Rainwater is better for your plants and can be used in your garden and for your houseplants.

The ABC of NPK!

Plants might look peaceful, but they’re hard workers, growing roots, leaves, flowers, and fruit. To do that well, they need more than sunlight and waterthey need nutrients from the soil. Over time those nutrients run out, which is why feeding plants makes such a big difference and that’s where NPK fertilisers come in.

Feeding Plants the Right Way & What is NPK?

Feeding plants isn’t about forcing growth - it’s about giving them the right nutrients at the right time. Match the fertiliser to the job, and plants will reward you with healthier growth, better flowers, and tastier harvests.

Fertiliser product labels show a breakdown of the 3 major nutrients that help specific types of growth - these are Nitrogen (N) for leaf growth, Phosphorus (P) for root growth, and Potassium (K) for improved flowering and fruit quality. So you will see this on the labels shown as, for example, 7-7-7 which is a balanced fertiliser or 0-0-50, this shows you its high in Potassium and so on.

Nitrogen fuels leaf growth and deep green colour. It’s ideal for plants grown for their foliage, leafy vegetables (e.g. brassicas: cabbage, kale, sprouts) and lawns.

Phosphorus helps plants build strong roots and supports flowering and energy use within the plant. It’s ideal for root crops (e.g. potatoes, parsnips, beetroots), seedlings, new plants, and flowering plants.

Potassium improves flowering, fruit quality, and overall plant health, helping plants cope with stress. It’s ideal for tomatoes, soft fruit, fruit trees, and flowering plants (roses, lilies and sunflowers).

Choosing the Right Feed

Think of NPK as a recipe. The mix changes according to what the plant needs most and a fertiliser with a higher value in any one of the components targets that need. Some plants need all three, so a balanced 7-7-7 fertiliser is good for them.

N

Nitrogen Rich Fertiliser NPK 21-0-0

Apply evenly at recommended rate. Hoe into the top surface of the soil. If the soil is dry, it should be well watered in.

Vitax Sulphate of Ammonia 1.25kg

£5.99 (179545)

P K

Phosphorus Rich Fertiliser

3.5-20-0

Apply prior to sowing or planting. Can be used as a top dressing for roses and fruit trees throughout the season.

Vitax Organic Bonemeal 1.25kg

£4.99 (179550)

Easy all-purpose slow release outdoor plant feed

The trusted all-in-one fertiliser for stronger roots, vibrant blooms, and healthier foliage. Formulated with a balanced blend of essential nutrients,Vitax Q4 supports steady growth and improved plant vitality throughout the season. Whether you are feeding flowers, shrubs, fruit, or vegetables, this versatile plant feed helps deliver richer colour, better yields, and more resilient plants.

Did you know?

Did you know that Levington Tomorite isn’t just for tomatoes, despite the name? While it’s specially formulated to support heavy fruiting crops, its NPK balance of 4-4.5-8 makes it excellent for bedding plants and hanging baskets too. The nitrogen (N) promotes healthy, green foliage, the phosphorus (P) supports strong root development and abundant blooms, and the high potassium (K) content encourages masses of vibrant flowers as well as quality fruit. That means you can use Tomorite to keep your baskets bursting with colour and your bedding displays looking lush - not just your tomato plants thriving.

If you would like to purchase any of the products online, just type in the six-digit number to help you shop easily.

Potassium Rich Fertiliser

Can be used throughout the growing season by applying evenly and hoeing or forking in to the top surface of the soil.

Vitax Sulphate of Potash 1.25kg

£10.99 (179538)

Vitax Q4 Fertiliser 4.5kg

£19.99 (179544)

Levington

Tomorite

1Litre + 20% extra FREE

£6.99 (306252) 20% Extra Free

WHO'S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL?

Redditch Mirrors (Set of 2)

Large H70cm x W45.5 cm

Small H 62cm x W37.5cm

£75.99 (348867)

Helmsley

H78cm x W45cm

£43.99 (348865)

Pershore Mirror

H79cm x W45.5cm, Small H52cm x W28.5cm

£43.99 (348788)

Broxbourne Mirror (Set of 2)

Large H62cm x W37.5cm, Small H52cm x W28.5cm

£59.99 (348866)

Wetherby Mirror H 64cm x W21cm

£19.99 (348789)

POTS OF POTENTIAL

Woodlodge Evron Pots in Egg and Cylinder Shapes

Blue, Turquoise, Red and Green 21cm - 37cm

£7.99 - £29.99 (346562-346569)

Woodlodge Hamburg Pots & Saucers

Grey, Light Green, Dark Green and White 10cm - 18cm £2.99 - £6.99 (345861-345923) Saucers to fit £1.99 - £4.99 (345924 - 345939)

New Community Coffee at Coolings

We are delighted to announce the new supplier partnership with Easy Jose Coffee.

Following a very successful trial period and lots of positive feedback, Arthurs Restaurant, Blueberry Café and the Hybrid Tea Room are now proudly serving the Easy Jose ‘Community Blend’ roasted coffee.

The story behind Easy Jose Coffee is one that Coolings strongly identifies with, the brand values of community, sustainability, quality and care resonate throughout our own.

Easy Jose Coffee is a company focused on quality and ethically sourced coffee. Originally founded by Jose Melim, the South West’s 2010 Barista Champion, he went to the very source and travelled to Peru to see a project led by the country’s Forestry Commission, where the remote Mayni Community in the Pargoa region grow and cultivate their coffee in a unique way. Pioneering an alternative method, that is non-destructive to the natural landscape, they grow the coffee beneath the forest canopy, protecting the largest part of its natural biodiversity, preventing the need for deforestation, which has happened in many other coffee growing areas.

Every coffee cherry is hand-picked! The steep landscape of the region means that each, and every, harvest must be done by hand, before being processed manually by the collective Mayni Community and it’s a simple and sustainable process that focuses on the quality, which you can taste in every cup.

The Mayni and Easy Jose Coffee are at the forefront of sustainability in coffee and protecting the natural world. "Working closely with remote Indigenous Communities, our mission is to help them grow incredible specialty coffee, in harmony with the forests they live in. Rainforest protection and defending against its destruction is a project we can all get behind." comments Greg Campher, Co-Founder & Head of Coffee at Easy Jose Coffee. And Coolings couldn’t agree more. We hope you sit and enjoy every sip!

Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Kent, TN14 7NN

Nursery Tour Dates

& 30th April 11am & 2pm

Planting Workshops

Gardeners

Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7NN 01959 532269

@coolingsgardencentre

Main Road, Knockholt, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7LJ 01959 534386

Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 4NH 01622 737801

Coleman’s Hatch Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JW 01342 822705

@coolingswychcross