COOLINGS
Embrace Autumn
Photo: Shutterstock
Save on these autumn essentials with your Coolings Family member card - simply present your Coolings Family card at the till to redeem!
Welcome to Coolings
Dear Friends,
I hope you and your garden enjoyed the remarkably warm and sunny spring and early summer as much as we did. However, as I write this letter, the threat of summer hosepipe bans has come to fruition, but with cooler weather and some rainfall it’s not continued as hot and dry, many plants in fact continue to flourish despite the early dry weather. However, it is already very obvious my lawn will require love and attention this September, raking out the dead grass, aerating and overseeding. If required, please do ask us for advice, we are happy to help.
One of the highlights over the summer was celebrating in style with over 200 students who studied and graduated with us over the last year. If you would like to know more, there are currently only a few remaining spaces for the 2025-26 season. Please find more details on our website under Courses.
For those who have completed their formal training, or many of our self-taught knowledgeable customers will be aware, the autumn actually offers some of the best conditions for planting.
With the soil still warm from summer and increasing rainfall, autumn gives new plants the perfect headstart to establish strong root systems before winter, helping them thrive during the following summer.
One of my all-time favourite plants to grow are Tulips, the colours available are show stopping and you will find one of the best selections of bulbs available anywhere this autumn at Coolings (see pages 14 & 15) coupled with our home grown autumn and winter bedding plants that are offered at very competitive prices (see page 6).
Now 3 years in since becoming employeeowned, we’ve ensured that the people who know and care most about our business - our team - are directly invested in its success. Every member of the team is now encouraged to think and act like an owner, driving even higher levels of service, quality, and commitment to you our customers. Another benefit to you is the 7-year guarantee on all our hardy plants, giving you peace of mind. Possibly the best plant guarantee available.
I must commend the team at our Coolings Lifestyle site in Knockholt village, there is now plenty of inspiration for every corner of your home, with an array of stylish touches.
Thank you for your continued support - we’re excited to keep growing together.
Best Wishes,
Gary Carvosso Chairman
Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’
Autumn Colour Awaits
As summer fades, autumn is the perfect time to refresh your garden with vibrant bedding plants. These seasonal favourites bring a burst of colour, keeping your outdoor space looking lively well into the colder months.
Hardy and low-maintenance, autumn bedding plants are ideal for brightening up pots, beds, and borders - giving your garden a cheerful boost when it needs it most.
Polyanthus ‘Crescendo’
Profusion of long-lasting flowers, look out for our range of Polyanthus ‘Crescendo’, a hardy variety of Polyanthus in a wonderful range of colours.
Lovely little pompom bedding plants, great as ground cover or at the front of a border.
Bellis
Balls of stunning blooms, striking in borders or pots! Look out for our amazing homegrown Chrysanthemum Gigi in a variety of single or trio mixed colours
Cyclamen Mixed
For extra impact, look out for our half-hardy Cyclamen in super stunning mixed shades; these are autumn and winter winners!
Wallflower 'Sugar Rush'
‘Sugar Rush’ is a dwarf variety of wallflower that flowers twice, in autumn and again in spring with bright, scented flowers. Mix of colours available.
Bedding on a Budget
Brighten up your garden this season with our Autumn Bedding Special Offer. A budget-friendly way to add a splash of colour as the cooler months set in.
Over 30 colours to choose from at a super price for Family card members.
Pick ‘n’ Mix Bedding Plants
Pansies
Coolings Essential Bedding 9cm Pots
Buy 15 for £20 Normally £2.99 each
Why Plant Pansies & Violas?
Pansies and violas are the perfect choice for autumn planting thanks to their resilience and cheerful appearance. These hardy flowers not only withstand cooler temperatures but also continue blooming through frosty spells, keeping your garden lively when most other plants fade.
Easy to care for and versatile in use, they’re ideal for beds, containers, and hanging baskets - offering reliable colour just when it’s needed most.
In Autumn & Winter
Get Gardening
Don’t pack away your trowel just yet - autumn and winter offer plenty of rewarding opportunities to get out in the garden. From planting hardy favourites to prepping for spring, the cooler seasons are perfect for making progress while enjoying crisp air and quiet moments outdoors. Your focus for this season is to Prepare, Plant and Protect.
Prepare:
Clear Leaves & Debris
Prevent pests by regularly removing fallen leaves and dead plant material.
Prune and Cut Back
To prepare for next season’s growth and encourage better flowering.
Love your Lawn
Care now gives the grass the best chance to bounce back in the warmer months. Scarify to remove thatch and moss to help drainage. Feed with Miracle-Gro Autumn Lawn Care to strengthen roots.
Clean Tools & Greenhouses
Give everything a good clean to prevent pests and diseases come spring.
Collect Water
Plant:
Protect:
Lift Tender Plants
Dig up and store tender bulbs, like dahlias, in a cool, dry place before the first frost.
Mulch and Protect
Winter months have the highest rainfall and plants prefer this, so think about investing in a water butt, such as Harcostar Water Butts.
Spring
Add a layer of mulch, such as Strulch, to protect roots and improve soil over winter, especially around perennials. Protect tender plants by covering with fleece, or bring indoors.
Help Wildlife
Help birds through the lean months by putting out food, water, and nesting boxes. Keep them topped up and cleaned regularly.
Bulbs – it’ll pay dividends in the spring!
Get ahead by planting tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and alliums before the ground freezes.
Soft Fruit – for delicious berries next year
Plant raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries and gooseberries.
Autumn Bedding – brighten up beds & containers
Plant hardy violas, pansies, cyclamen, and ornamental cabbages.
Over-sow with fresh grass seed before it gets cold, filling in thin or bare patches.
Lawn Protection
Only mow on a high setting until the lawn stops growing, then stop. Avoid heavy traffic on it in frost.
Repair Lawns – recover after summer wear & tear
Sedum ‘Coco-Cola’
3 Litre £14.99 (168921) S
Cornus ‘Miracle’ 3 Litre £18.99 (321851) T
Caryopteris ‘Dark Knight’ 3 Litre £19.99 (185687) M Abelia ‘Pinky Bells’ 2 Litre £19.99 (305745) S
Schizostylis ‘Major’ 2 Litre £14.99 (188402) T
Heuchera ‘Silver Gumdrop’ 2 Litre £14.99 (278738) M
Autumn Colour
Perfect Autumnal Perennials
From sunny spots to shady corners, these hardy seasonal colour and interest to every part of texture, and life to your borders
When creating your border, whether in the sun or shade, plant in a triangular shape, with taller shrubs or plants (T’S) first towards the back of the space, then position your medium sized (M’S) and lower lying shrubs and plants (S’s) from the mid-point forward, allowing enough space between for each plant to grow to their maximum size.
Perennials for Shade or Shine
hardy herbaceous plants and shrubs bring rich, of your garden. Perfect for adding warmth, borders as the days grow cooler.
Get your Vitamin G!
Transforming your garden into a welcoming sensory haven away from everyday stresses will encourage you to get outside and get your Vitamin G (Green is Good!) benefitting your health and wellbeing.
MeditativeSoundand soothing
Here’s some ideas to help you experience your garden through all your senses.
Trees and Ornamental grasses can rustle and make whispering sounds in the breeze. Position in more exposed areas and plant grasses in drifts to exaggerate the effect.Trees can also be used to create natural sound barriers.
Grasses
Miscanthus sinensis
‘Ferner Osten’ tall statuesque grass.
3 Litre
£16.99 (185665)
Bamboo
Fargesia ‘Winter Joy’
A clump forming bamboo to rustle in the breeze.
7.5 Litre
£44.99 (330228)
Trees
Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ produce stunning leaf displays which ‘sing’ in the autumn breeze.
10 Litre
£79.99 (312502)
DID YOU KNOW?
that research has found that every 10% increase in people’s exposure to green space translates into an improvement in health and equivalent to being five years younger!
Water feature
A pond or trickling water provides a soothing distraction or can help block out unwanted noise.
Bird song
Alongside water, install a bird table or feeder to encourage birds and enjoy their singing.
Colour Therapyis
ImmersiveTaste& Aromatic
Calming pastels to uplifting bright colours, plus contrasting foliage can all make a feast for the eyes. Containers and sculptures can add visual impact.
Acer ‘Extravaganza’ has pink variegated foliage which turns a stunning cherry red in autumn.
3 Litre £34.99 (310638)
Heuchera ‘Midnight Rose’ has beautiful pink speckled foliage throughout autumn and winter.
1 Litre £7.99 (196072)
Anemone ‘Prinz Heinrich’ has vibrant pink blooms in late summer and autumn.
2 Litre £13.99 (185329)
Hands-onTouchwith Nature
Herbs offer a multi-sensory experience not only are they edible but many have fragrant leaves that release stimulating aromas.
Pear ‘Concorde’ Stepover
Pears are a great choice to grow low as a pre-shaped stepover tree and autumn is harvest time!
12 Litre
£69.99 (271613)
Salvia officinalis
Sage is a perfect ornamental herb for winter dishes.
1 Litre
£5.99 (186998)
Autumn is also the perfect time to plant vegetables such as Spring Cabbage, Leeks and Purple Sprouting Broccoli to add to your sensory garden.
Tactile plants create a rich experience and provide hands-on interaction.
Smell
Scent is Powerful
Himalayan Birch Betula utilis jacquemontii has tactile ivory white bark.
12 Litre £79.99 (193634)
Phormium ‘Pink Stripe’ has smooth evergreen leaves to stroke.
3 Litre £23.99 (194655)
Stipa ‘Pony Tails’ has vibrant pink blooms in late summer and autumn.
2 Litre £15.99 (188462)
Fragrance can have a powerful effect, boosting mood, reducing stress and even reducing blood pressure.
Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ has sweetly scented pink flowers from late autumn to spring.
3 Litre £21.99 (184699)
Eucalyptus ‘Azura’ is an evergreen with menthol scented silver foliage.
3 Litre £26.99 (262055)
Thymus ‘Doone Valley’ has scented trailing evergreen golden foliage ideal for autumn tubs and baskets.
1 Litre £5.99 (185323)
(inc. loyalty card). Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
All shop and plant voucher offers can be redeemed at THREE Coolings Centres* All catering vouchers can only be redeemed at Arthurs Restaurant or Hybrid Tea Room. 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.
All shop and plant voucher offers can be redeemed at all FOUR Coolings Centres
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.
* Please see Coolings Lifestyle supplement for exclusive Lifestyle Vouchers.
November
December
P l ant a Rai nbow
... in readiness for Spring.
1. Tulip ‘Red Impression’
2. Tulip ‘Floresta’
3. Red Anemone coronaria
4. Tulip ‘Marilyn’
5. Tulip ‘Ballerina’
6. Tulip ‘Daydream’
7. Hyacinth ‘Bestseller’
8. Fritillaria imperialis Orange
9. Narcissus ‘King Alfred’
10. Tulip ‘Novi Sun’
11. Fritillaria imperialis Yellow
12. Narcissus ‘Georgie Boy’
13. Crocus ‘Cream Beauty’
14. Galanthus Nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’
15. Narcissus ‘Thalia’
16. Tulip ‘Mount Tacoma’
17. Crocus Blue
18. Muscari Armeniacum
19. Hyacinth ‘Peter Stuyvesant’
20. Crocus Purple
21. Allium cristophii
22. Tulip ‘Librije’
23. Allium ‘Purple Sensation’
24. Tulip ‘Negrita’
25. Tulip ‘Royal Acres’
26. Tulip double early ‘Foxtrot’
27. Tulip ‘Fancy Frills’
28. Tulip ‘Queen of Night’
Spring flowering bulbs are best planted between the cooler months of September and November, according to their different types - Narcissus, Crocus and Hyacinths should be planted from September, but to help Tulips get a better start and alleviate risk of disease, leave planting them in until November.
Varieties differ in availability between our sites (excluding Coolings Lifestyle) however, all are available at The Gardeners’ Garden Centre.
Crisp Days of Autumn
Apple ‘Red Windsor’
Possibly the best garden variety for the novice grower. Self-fertile, compact, high yielding, delicious red fruit, frost and disease resistant.
11.5 Litre (M27 Patio) £64.99 (233234)
Autumn is the height of apple season. Harvesting, pruning and preparing your trees for winter dormancy and the best time to plant new trees too, setting them up for strong growth in the spring.
Apple ‘Peter’s Gold’
A beautiful round sweet golden apple named after the late BBC Gardener’s World presenter Peter Seabrook who was a great friend of Coolings.
12 Litre (M26) £59.99 (207822)
Apple ‘James Grieve’
A fabulous dual purpose apple that can be eaten fresh with its crisp juicy white flesh or cooked. Self-fertile and reliable.
12 Litre (MM106) £59.99 (194465)
Frank P Matthews
Frank P Matthews
Frank P Matthews
Crab Apple Malus ‘Jelly King’
Apple ‘Bountiful’
A fantastic Kentish cooking apple which retains its shape when sliced and cooked making it ideal for pies and tarts.Very productive and easy to grow.
12 Litre (M26 Bush) £59.99 (202808)
Use a crab apple as a pollination partner for your eating apple trees. These are beautiful ornamental trees that will boost the number of fruit on your eating apples. Plant ‘Jelly King’ which as the name implies is great for making delicious crab apple jelly, plus has attractive fruit in Autumn and stunning white flowers in Spring!
12 Litre £79.99 (198226)
Apple ‘Ballerina Samba’
Raised in Kent, this fantastic dual-purpose variety has it all. Compact upright habit, deep pink spring blossom, followed by apples with a sweet and sharp taste that can either be cooked or eaten from the tree.
12 Litre (MM106) £59.99 (288070)
Several other fruits are abundant in autumn too, it’s a rich time for harvesting late-season fruits and planting new fruit trees and bushes…
If you have an abundance of fruit, then preserving them and stocking up your pantry or freezer is a great way to make the most of your harvest and extend your bounty into the colder months. Jams, chutneys and fruit gins make lovely homemade gifts too!
Pears, Plums, Blackberries, Raspberries
Pick in Mid-September
Frank P Matthews
Pick in September
Frank P Matthews
Whimsical Winter Woodland
Creating a woodland feel in your garden is a beautiful way of blending nature with intentional planting. Trees surrounded by soft groundcover and shade-loving plants, with winding pathways through, will create serenity and a naturalistic garden that not only supports wildlife but provides year-round structure and interest.
Ground layer Shrub layer Tree layer
Hardy Autumn CyclamenCyclamen hederifolium
9cm £4.99 (184929)
Bugle - Ajuga
‘Burgundy Glow’
1 Litre £6.99 (196024)
Japanese Forest GrassHakonechloa macra
2 Litre £15.99 (242812)
The Autumn FernDryopteris erythrosora
2 Litre £15.99 (187701)
Skimmia japonica ‘Pabella’
5 Litre £69.99 (217099)
Viburnum ‘December Dwarf’
3 Litre £21.99 (244876)
Cotinus ‘Flamissimo’
3 Litre £26.99 (313097)
Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’
2 Litre £18.99 (250887)
If you would like to purchase any of the products online, just type in the six-digit number to help you shop easily.
Sorbus ‘Olympic Flame’
12 Litre £79.99 (198178)
Acer ‘October Glory’
12 Litre £79.99 (155264)
Betula Wakehurst Place
Chocolate - Golden autumn display and beautiful chocolate brown bark.
12 Litre £89.99 (193377)
What’s Hot in Houseplants
From sculptural statements to soft, trailing greens, houseplants do more than just add life to a space - they shape it. With the right plants, your home becomes a curated expression of style and mood. Whether you're drawn to bold architectural forms, or delicate textures that spill gently over shelves, houseplants offer endless ways to transform your interiors.
Vertical greenery can add texture and depth to shelves and corners as you can see in our Trailing Glory section.
Smaller houseplants like the Chinese Money plant – Pilea pepperimoides are becoming increasingly popular too, to dress desks or add living style to coffee tables - low maintenance and low light plants can add a fresh feel.
Peperomia Nevada
Kalenchoe
Aloe Vera
Large Calathea
Philodendron
Zamioculas Zamiiflora
Pachica Aquatica
Devil Ivy
Tradescantia
Asparagus dens sprengeri
Spider Plant
Cosy Catering for Chilly Days Ahead
Warming food, friendly faces, and the start of a festive feeling! Pop by our restaurant or one of cafés and enjoy some new seasonal delights.
We’re embracing the warmest flavours of the season at Arthurs, Hybrid Tea Room and Blueberry Café. Whether you’re planning breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or looking ahead to a festive gettogether, our autumn/winter menus are full of homemade favourites made with seasonal ingredients.
Winter Afternoon Tea at Hybrid Tea Room
Available from 3rd November, for a minimum booking of 2 people, our winter themed afternoon tea will be a real delight. £25 per person. Book by calling 01342 822705.
Christmas Lunches at Arthurs
The ever-popular Arthurs’ Traditional Christmas Lunch will be available from Monday 8th December until Friday 12th December 2025. The choice of a 2-course or 3-course menu will be available, both including a tea or coffee. Spaces are limited, so booking in advance is essential.
Price: For 2-courses £29.95 For 3-courses £34.95 Bookings Open 15th Septemberplease come into Arthurs to make your booking.
(A non-refundable deposit of £19.95/ person will be required to secure your reservation at the time of booking.)
Get Creative at Coolings…
Coolings Events are excited to launch some new creative learning courses for 2026, these are fun, easy learning and sociable events.
Our new Cookery School is headed up by our very talented and passionate professional chef Angela Carter. Learn how to cook and present seasonal and themed dishes in a full day of cooking and tasting in our specially designed cookery school kitchen. Places will be limited. £175 per person.To book please visit the Coolings What’s On Page. See Back Page for Dates.
NEW for 2026
Dogs on leads are welcome at all our sites and we have designated seating areas indoors and outside to enjoy together!
Christmas at Coolings...
Christmas Trees
Christmas Shops
Real Christmas Tree will be available at all four of our centres and online.
Festive Fayre
From Traditional Christmas Lunches to themed afternoon teas, we’ll help you celebrate the festive season.
Potted Christmas Trees from early November and Cut Christmas Trees from 22nd November.
Visit our Christmas Shops at Coolings Lifestyle and Coolings Wych Cross for a full array of festive decorations and an illuminating range of lights!
Opening from mid-October, 7 days a week
Events at Coolings The Gardener's Garden Centre
Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Kent, TN14 7NN
Come along and see a huge selection of exquisite gifts and treats all hand-made in South East England.
Friday, Saturday & Sundays
10am - 4pm Autumn
12th - 14th September
Christmas 28th - 30th November
Look out for
Antiques & Collectables Fair
Find unique items from the vast array of antique stalls and add something special to your home or collection or find that perfect special gift for someone.
27th, 28th & 29th January
24th, 25th & 26th February
24t h, 25th & 26th March
20t h, 21st & 22nd April
Potters Ceramics Fair
11th & 12th October 10am - 4pm See
25th & 26th October 2025 10am – 4pm The second KPA ceramics market at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, showcasing our members work. See inside for
The Gardener’s Garden Centre
Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7NN 01959 532269
@coolingsgardencentre
Main Road, Knockholt, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7LJ 01959 534386 @coolingslifestyle
Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 4NH 01622 737801 @coolingspottedgarden
Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre
Coleman’s Hatch Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JW 01342 822705
@coolingswychcross