Greenshutters Garden Centre Newsletter October 2025

After a few weeks of autumnal gusts and rain, we’ve had some warm settled sunshine reminiscent of the summer. Some nights have been chilly (down to 4°C at Greenshutters) bringing on the autumn colour in many of the trees, especially the Liquidambar and Maples.

We still have plenty of colourful Pansies, Violas & Polyanthus to brighten up borders and pots. These will flower throughout autumn, winter and spring.

There is still plenty of time to plant bulbs for spring flowering such as Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Alliums. Bluebells, Snowdrops, Hyacinths, Irises, Camassia & Fritillaria – we still have a good selection available. Onion and shallot sets are also in stock.

We have more exciting developments going on here at Greenshutters. We have a new multispan polytunnel being constructed in November. This will eventually provide us with more covered growing space. In preparation, we have taken down our three old tunnels and this means we will not have much space to put plants away for the winter. As a result, we are having an October Sale with 50% off many herbaceous perennials and climbers as well as a selection of roses, shrubs and fruit trees. The sale will run until the end of October and is open to Greenshutters’ Garden Club Members only. If you are not already a member, it is free to join – just ask in our shop or sign up on our website.

Our friendly staff are always on hand to help and give advice so pop in to see us. We hope to see you soon!

Crab Apples (Malus)

Crab apple trees, or Malus, are among the most versatile and rewarding small trees you can add to your garden, offering an abundance of colour and wildlife interest throughout the year.

The display begins in spring when they are covered in a spectacular flush of apple blossom. The flowers range from snowy white to rich magenta, depending on the variety. This flowering spectacle not only brightens the garden after winter but also provides essential, early-season nectar for pollinating insects, including our vital bee populations.

Crab apples are typically small to medium size trees, making them perfectly suited for all types of gardens, from courtyard spaces to medium or large gardens. Their compact, manageable habit means they won’t overwhelm a space, yet they still provide a wonderful focal point. They can be planted in the lawn or at the back of a border. Like apple trees, they are available grafted onto dwarf rootstocks (such as M27 dwarfing rootstock) which limits their height to approximately 1.5-2m (5-6ft) tall.

As the flowers fade, the tree develops its signature feature: the small, decorative fruits or crab apples. Those of ‘Butterball’ are egg yolk yellow, while those of ‘Gorgeous’ are glossy intense crimson. ‘Evereste’ has small orange fruits with red mottles, and ‘Jelly King’ has large luminous reddish-pink fruits. Crucially, they often persist on the branches well into the colder months, adding vital winter colour and acting as a crucial food source for hungry birds when natural supplies are scarce.

Beyond their ornamental value, the fruit is superb for culinary use, perfect for making tart, brightly-coloured jellies or jams. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, a crab apple tree is a brilliant, low-maintenance tree that pays dividends in beauty and biodiversity every season.

Looking good at Greenshutters

Our top picks this month – available now:

October Special Offer for Garden Club Members Only