Hello from the Hilltop team! October has arrived, and with it comes crisp mornings, colourful leaves, and plenty of garden jobs to get stuck into. This is one of our favourite times of year here at Hilltop Garden Centre in Clacton-on-Sea — the air feels fresh, the soil is still warm from summer, and there’s so much you can do to set your garden up for success.
If you’re wondering what to plant, prune, or prepare this month, we’ve put together our top October gardening tips just for you. So pop the kettle on (or better still, join us in Floral Days Café right here at our Essex garden centre for coffee and homemade cake), and let’s get started on your October gardening checklist.
What to Plant in October
October is one of the best planting months of the year, thanks to the combination of warm soil and regular rainfall. That means plants can get their roots settled in before the real cold weather arrives. Here are some of the shrubs, bulbs and perennials we recommend planting this month:
Spring bulbs: Daffodils, narcissi, tulips, crocus, and alliums (and so many more!). At Hilltop, we’ve got some brilliant offers on value packs this October — perfect for creating bold spring displays without spending a fortune. Plant them 2–3 times their depth in well-draining soil or in pots with a good bulb compost. Tip: Don’t forget to plant them pointy side up!
Cyclamen 'coum': These hardy little perennials flower through the coldest months, bringing colour when you need it most. This October you can get 3 for £12, so you can plant a drift under trees or in shady borders.
Seasonal shrubs: Now is the perfect time to plant evergreens like Viburnum tinus, Euonymus ‘Green Spire’, or Photinia ‘Red Robin’. Pop in because we’ve got some fantastic offers on shrubs in 2-litre, 5-litre, and larger pots — ideal for filling borders, creating hedges, and incorporating all-important structure to your planting.
Autumn perennials and berries: Try Heuchera for winter interest, Callicarpa (the “beauty berry”) for its striking purple berries, or Pyracantha with its fiery red berries loved by birds. Sedum Stonecrop is another great choice for late pollinators.
Shrub planting tips: dig a hole twice as wide as the pot, enrich with Rocket Gro Organic Compost and a handful of slow-release fertiliser, and water well after planting.
Plant Trees & Hedges
October is classic tree-planting month. The soil is warm enough to encourage roots, but the cooler air puts less stress on young trees. If you’ve ever thought about adding a tree for shade, privacy, or fruit, now’s the time.
Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is an especially popular choice for hedging, and included in our special offers this October you can pick up large specimens for £59.99 each or 2 for £100. They provide year-round foliage, with a striking red flush in spring.
Plant Skimmia Japonica
We’re thrilled to share that our Plant of the Month this October is Skimmia Japonica. This evergreen shrub is a real star for autumn and winter gardens, and it’s no wonder gardeners love it.
Skimmia brings year-round structure with its glossy green leaves, but in autumn and winter, it really comes to life with clusters of red buds that sit through the cold months before bursting into fragrant flowers in spring. It’s compact, low-maintenance, and looks stunning in both pots and borders.
Best of all, Skimmia is perfect for shady spots where other plants struggle, making it a brilliant choice if you’ve got that tricky corner of the garden that needs a lift. Add it near your door or patio for a splash of colour all year. Skimmia Rubella and Skimmia Kew Green are both included in our special offers here at Hilltop Garden Centre Clacton, so pop in and take a look.
Other jobs to do in the garden this October
1. Have a Tidy Up!
October is the time to get your garden neat and ready for winter. Fallen leaves will be gathering fast, so sweep them up regularly — they can smother your lawn if left in big piles. The good news? You can turn them into leaf mould, a brilliant free mulch. Just pop them into a black bin bag with a few holes pierced in the side, add a splash of water, tie it up, and leave it in a corner of the garden. In a year’s time, you’ll have lovely crumbly leaf mould that your plants will love.
While you’re tidying, cut back any dead stems or finished perennials, and clear away annual bedding plants that are past their best.
2. Divide Perennials
Now’s a great time to divide clumps of perennials that have grown too large, like hostas, geraniums, or daylilies. Dig them up, split them into smaller sections with a sharp spade, and replant them around the garden. It’s like getting free plants for little effort.
3. Refresh Pots & Containers
Summer bedding might be finished, but don’t let your containers look sad over winter. Plant them up with a mix of autumn and winter beauties like heathers (check out our free Rewards Club offer of Calluna vulgaris this month), cyclamen, and trailing ivy. Add a Skimmia or Viburnum tinus in the middle for height and interest, and you’ll have pots that look colourful right through until spring.
4. Look After Wildlife
Don’t forget your little garden visitors this month. As food becomes scarcer, birds will really appreciate feeders stocked with seeds, suet, and fat balls. A shallow dish of water will also help them stay hydrated.
If you’ve been sweeping up leaves, leave a small pile tucked away for hedgehogs — they’ll be on the lookout for hibernation spots soon.
Visit Hilltop This Month
October really is a busy but rewarding month in the garden. Whether you’re planting bulbs, tidying up borders, or helping out the wildlife, there’s plenty to do.
And of course, after all that activity, there’s nothing better than popping into a garden centre with café for a well-deserved spot of lunch! Our team at Floral Days Café are always ready to welcome you with hot drinks, light lunches, and our delicious monthly specials.
So why not plan a visit to Hilltop this October? Our friendly team is here to help with advice, inspiration, and the best seasonal offers you’ll find at any Essex garden centre. Happy gardening, and we’ll see you soon!
