Hello from all of us at Hilltop Garden Centre! October is one of our favourite months of the year here at your local garden centre in Clacton. The air feels crisp, the colours are spectacular, and it’s the perfect time to make your home and garden feel extra cosy before winter sets in.
This month, we’ve got some wonderful new arrivals in-store — from beautiful seasonal plants that thrive when planted in autumn, to heavy-duty log stores and kiln-dried hardwood logs to keep you warm and snug. Whether you’re looking to brighten up the garden, prepare for cooler days, or enjoy a trip out to our garden centre with café, there’s something special waiting for you at Hilltop. Let’s take a look at what’s new this October!
Autumn - The Perfect Season to Plant
Did you know that autumn is actually one of the very best times of year to plant? The soil is still warm from summer, there’s more moisture in the ground, and plants have plenty of time to settle their roots before spring. At Hilltop, we’ve stocked up on some gorgeous seasonal favourites to help you add year-round colour and interest to your garden.
Here’s a little taster of what you’ll find in our plant area this month:
- Heuchera – With its vibrant foliage in shades of green, purple, and bronze, Heuchera adds year-round colour and texture to your garden while also attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Dianthus – With their pretty, fragrant flowers, dianthus (also known as pinks) are brilliant for containers, borders, or even window boxes. They’re low-maintenance, long-flowering, and bring a soft cottage-garden feel to any space.
- Pyracantha – This is a fantastic choice if you’d like something that’s both ornamental and practical. Its glossy green leaves and bright red, orange, or yellow berries provide a stunning show in autumn and winter — and the berries are a wonderful food source for birds. Plus, it makes an excellent security hedge with its thorny stems.
- Callicarpa – Known as the “beautyberry,” this shrub is loved for its striking clusters of vibrant purple berries in autumn. It’s a real showstopper that adds unusual colour to your garden during the darker months.
- Sedum Stonecrop – Sedums are a dream plant for autumn. Their clusters of star-shaped flowers bloom in shades of pink and red, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. They’re drought tolerant, low maintenance, and look gorgeous in borders or rock gardens.
- Viburnum – Viburnums are incredibly versatile, offering everything from clusters of spring flowers to glossy berries and vibrant autumn foliage. They add structure and year-round interest, making them a gardener’s favourite.
- Skimmia Japonica – A compact, evergreen shrub, Skimmia is ideal for adding lush greenery and colourful berries to shady areas. Their scented flowers in spring are an added bonus!
- Aucuba Japonica – Often nicknamed the “Gold Dust Plant,” this hardy evergreen brings bold splashes of yellow and green to your garden all year round. Perfect for shady corners, it’s easy to grow and wonderfully resilient.
- Heather – No autumn garden is complete without heather. These low-growing plants bring vibrant pink, purple, and white blooms that light up borders, containers, and rockeries throughout autumn and winter.
By planting now, you’ll be giving these plants the best possible start, ensuring they’re strong, healthy, and ready to burst into colour come spring. It’s a great way to get ahead of next year and enjoy a garden that truly blooms all year round.
Heavy-Duty Log Stores – Keep Your Firewood Dry & Tidy
As the cooler months roll in, nothing feels quite as comforting as a crackling fire. But if you’ve ever tried to store firewood outdoors without the right setup, you’ll know how frustrating it can be when logs get damp and refuse to burn.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce our brand new Heavy-Duty Log Stores, handmade in the UK and designed to last.
Here’s why they’re a brilliant investment for your home:
- Pressure Treated for Longevity – Unlike cheaper alternatives, these log stores are built to withstand the elements. The wood is pressure-treated, so you won’t need to worry about rot or damage from rain.
- Strong & Spacious – Measuring either 5ft high x 4ft wide or 4ft high x 5ft wide, there’s plenty of room to store enough firewood to keep you going through the coldest months.
- Made in the UK – We love supporting local craftsmanship, and these log stores are handmade right here in the UK, ensuring top-quality build and durability.
- Tidy & Practical – Instead of piles of logs scattered around the garden or stacked against the house, a log store keeps everything neat, tidy, and protected.
At £249, this is a purchase that will make your life easier every single winter — no more soggy logs, no more messy piles, just dry firewood ready to keep your home warm and inviting.
New in - Kiln-Dried Hardwood Logs
Of course, what good is a log store without the logs themselves? This October, we’re also stocking Kiln-Dried Hardwood Logs in convenient 60-litre bags for just £16.99.
Here’s why kiln-dried logs are the best choice for your fire or log burner:
- Ready to Burn – Because they’ve been kiln-dried, these logs have a much lower moisture content than air-dried or “seasoned” logs. That means they light easily, burn hotter, and produce less smoke.
- Energy Efficient – With less moisture to burn off, kiln-dried logs release more heat, so you get the most value for your money.
- Cleaner Burn – Lower smoke means less build-up of soot and tar in your chimney or flue, making them a safer, cleaner choice for your home.
- Convenient Size – The 60-litre bags are easy to carry, store, and use, so you can stock up without hassle.
Pair them with one of our heavy-duty log stores and you’ll be all set for cosy evenings around the fire this autumn and winter.
Visit Hilltop This October
October is a truly exciting time at Hilltop, and we’d love for you to pop in and see all of our new arrivals in person. Whether you’re browsing seasonal plants, checking out our log stores, or stocking up on firewood, there’s something here for every home and garden.
And of course, no trip to Hilltop would be complete without a stop at our award-winning Floral Days Café. Treat yourself to a coffee, cake, or even one of our famous Sunday roasts — the perfect way to round off your visit to your favourite garden centre in Essex.
At Hilltop, we’re proud to be part of the local community, offering not just quality plants and products, but a warm, friendly space for everyone to enjoy. If you’re looking for the best garden centres in Essex, we’d love to welcome you to Hilltop this October.
