Coolings Garden Centre - Kent

Champagne begonia, a great Coolings favorite and it’s easy to see why from their beautiful peach coloured double blooms. Their dark green foliage is distinctive with its attractive bronze markings. Begonias are fantastic for hanging baskets, window boxes or as patio plants. They require well drained soil and do well in partial shade. As always remove dead foliage and flowers as this will help to prevent disease and prolong your display of blooms.

Dahlia ‘kiss me’, a beautiful and different flower, deep plum in the center with white tips. Dark green foliage provides a contrast to the large striking blooms. Dahlias like to be in a rich well drained soil in a sunny position. These plants make for a very attractive show in any border and are also fantastic for cut flower displays. Coolings will have over 100 different varieties of Dahilia in stock this season.

Crocosmia masoniorum commonly known as Giant montbretia, is a very exotic looking plant. With thin sword shaped, green foliage, and long stems with bright orangey-red flowers which bloom from summer to autumn. They will tolerate most soil types but prefer a rich well drained soil in either the sun or partial shade. Great in boarders or for those who favor a more architectural planting scheme.

Another exotic looking plant is Alstromeria 'ligtu' which also has to be one of the world most popular cut flowers. Coming in a wide range of colours including, shades of pink, orange and scarlet with their distinctive petal markings. They look fantastic in borders and are great in combination with other herbaceous perennials or ornamental grasses. The flowers will come back year after year and it is suggested you plant them in a large group to obtain the full effect of the array of different colours. Preferring a rich well drained soil try to choose a sheltered position where they won’t be disturbed.

Nerine 'codora' are great for providing that late summer colour. The codora has a cluster of rich red flowers on a long stem. They prefer a sunny sheltered spot (such as at the bottom of a south facing wall) and well drained soil, but can grow in clay if it is improved with grit and sand.

Start the bulbs off in a frost free place and plant out in May to enjoy a never ending display of colour right through out the summer.