New products at Crocus
by Sarah - July 3rd, 2009.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
New lines today at Crocus
common box – ball £34.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingOther features: contact with the sap may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardyA pair of these tightly rounded box spheres is excellent for flanking a set of steps, doorway or path. One of our recommended plants, they're perfect for planting in a large, well-drained, terracotta pot in a partially shady site, where the glossy, dark-green leaves provide all year foliage interest and structure.Box are happy growing in a sunny spot but the combination of dry soil and full sun may encourage poor growth and leaf scorching. If you have sandy soil it is best to keep them in a partially shady spot in the garden.Garden care: Ensure that the soil or compost is never allowed to dry out. Carefully cut back plants grown as hedges or topiary in mid- or late summer. Carry out rejuvenative pruning in late spring. After pruning apply a top-dressing of a balanced slow-release fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone (organic) or Osmacote (inorganic) around the base of the plant, ensuring that none touches the leaves or stems.
greengage £32.99
Position: full sunSoil: will tolerate most soils, except very chalky or badly drainedRate of growth: slow growingUltimate size (St Julien): 6x6m (20x20ft)Flowering period: MayFlower colour: whiteOther features: a juicy culinary or desert gage (early September)Hardiness: fully hardyReliable, heavy cropping gage that is similar to the old 'Greengage' variety. Single, cup-shaped white flowers appear in late spring, followed by yellow-green fruit with a superb, juicy flavour, which are ready for picking in early September. A good, vigorous grower that does set some fruit without a pollinator, though planting a late flowering plum, such as 'Marjorie's Seedling' will increase cropping.Garden care: When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Prune in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker.
minarette apple £32.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingUltimate size (M27): 1.8×1.8m (6x6ft)Ultimate size (MM106): 5.5×5.5m (18x18ft)Flowering period: April and MayHardiness: fully hardyPollination Group C: Mid to late floweringThis upright, spreading tree is covered in pure white, cup-shaped flowers in mid and late spring, followed by first class, juicy dessert apples for harvesting in early to mid October. A moderately vigorous variety, which is also self-fertile and produces perhaps the best British eating apple. Garden care: Keep the base of the tree weed free, fertilise at the beginning of each year and water regularly during hot, dry spells. Remove damaged or crossing branches during the dormant season.
plum £32.99
Position: full sunSoil: will tolerate most soils, except very chalky or badly drainedRate of growth: slow growingUltimate size (Pixy): 3x3m (10x10ft)Ultimate size (St Julian): 3.75×3.75m (13x13ft)Flowering period: April to MayFlower colour: whiteOther features: top quality culinary or dessert plum (late September)Hardiness: fully hardyA reliable, self-fertile plum which produces a heavy crop of large, pale red fruit with golden-yellow flesh, which can be used for cooking, canning, bottling or just eating fresh. The single, white flowers are produced in spring and fruiting picking can start in late August. It is one of the most popular plum trees available but does need the fruit to be thinned to avoid biennial fruiting.Garden care: When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Prune in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker.
apple £29.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageUltimate size (M27 rootstock) 1.5 – 1.8m ( 5-6 ft)Flowering period: April and MayHardiness: fully hardyPollination Group D: late floweringThis upright, spreading tree is covered in pure white, cup-shaped flowers in mid and late spring, followed by crisp, juicy, red dessert apples. The tree forms a natural dome shape, and the leaves are small, toothed and dark green. Unlike other fruiting varieties, the fruits from this tree keep well for several weeks after they're harvested in mid August. To guarantee cross pollination plant in a sunny, open site with another tree from the same pollination group. Garden care: Keep the base of the tree weed free, fertilise at the beginning of each year and water regularly during hot, dry spells. Remove damaged or crossing branches during the dormant season.
pear £29.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fastFlowering period: AprilFlower colour: pure whiteOther features: large, edible dessert pearsHardiness: fully hardyThis delightful dessert pear tree is covered with pure white flowers in mid spring, followed by large fruits, renowned for their excellent flavour. Vigorous and upright in habit it's an ideal specimen tree for a small, sunny, well-drained site. To ensure cross pollination plant with another variety from the same flowering group (e.g. 'Concorde'). Garden care: Pears naturally shed a small quantity of the developing fruits in mid summer. After this has occurred thin out the remaining pears, leaving one pear per cluster. Add a high-nitrogen feed in spring.
cherry £29.99
Position: full sunSoil: deep, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingUltimate size (Colt): 6x6m (20x20ft)Flowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyAn exceptional, self-fertile, sweet cherry with large dark red or black fruit. White flowers appear in mid-spring, followed by delicious, juicy cherries which are ready for picking in late July. It is a vigorous grower, starting with an upright habit, spreading as it matures. An early and prolific cropper that also makes a good pollinator for other cherries.Garden care: When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Lightly prune in summer to retain the shape and cut back any dead, diseased or branches which cross to healthy wood.
cherry £29.99
Position: full sunSoil: deep, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: slow growingUltimate size (Colt): 7x7m (23x23ft)Flowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyThe deciduous tree is grown for its superb large, dark red acid cherries that are ideal for cooking. It has a compact but spreading habit, small white flowers in spring and bitter-sweet fruit August which are perfect for stewing. A popular, self-fertile cherry that is suitable for north facing situations and can tolerate heavy soil.Garden care: When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Prune in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker.
cherry £29.99
Position: full sunSoil: deep, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingUltimate size (Colt): 6x6m (20x20ft)Flowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyA vigorous tree which is upright at first but later spreading as it matures. White flowers appear in mid-spring and sweet yellow-red cherries in late July.It is one of the few sweet cherries that is self-fertile – and the large fruit have a gorgeous flavour.Garden care: When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Lightly prune in summer to retain The shape and cut back any dead, diseased or branches which cross to healthy wood.