Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - August 9th, 2009.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

New lines added today at Crocus

libertia
libertia £12.99
Position: full sunSoil: humus-rich, moist peaty or sandy soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: May to June Flower colour: whiteHardiness: fully hardy (borderline)The narrow, evergreen leaves of this New Zealand native form attractive, fan-like clumps, and their normal green colour may take on shades of coppery-orange when grown in full sun. This can look particulary lovely when backlit. In late spring and early summer you can see bowl-shaped white flowers nestled amongst the foliage, and these are followed by light brown seedheads. It looks great in either a mixed border or gravel garden.Garden care: In frost-prone areas, protect in winter using a thick, dry mulch such as shredded bark. Divide large clumps in spring.

garlic
garlic £8.99
Position: full sunSoil: any soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyA strong-flavoured British garlic, that is largely grown on the Isle of Wight. It has become a very popular, softneck variety which is well adapted to the British climate and produces a good crops of large bulbs with plump tasty cloves. One of the best garlics for storing, as if kept cool and dry, the bulbs will store for months after they have been harvested. If planted early in the season, you can expect to be lifting and using the mature bulbs from July.Garden care: Plant from October to early march (if frost permits). Space the cloves 15cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Uproot as soon as the leaves start to yellow, and leave them on the surface of the soil to ripen before storing them in a light, airy position, which is dry and frost free.
ornamental onion
ornamental onion £7.49
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May-JuneFlower colour: pale purpleHardiness: half hardyBulb Size: 14+Plant these in a warm, sheltered spot for the spectacular starburst-like flowers that can grow to 30cm across in early summer. As the flowers age they gradually lose their colour, but they can be kept on the plant until they finally fall apart, or bring them inside and use them in dried flower arrangements. The long, strap shaped foliage appears in early spring, but will usually die back before the plant starts to flower.Garden care: Plant 15cm deep and 35 – 40cm apart so the flowers don't get over-crowded. Make sure the soil does not get too wet or waterlogged and split and divide large clumps in spring or autumn.
iris
iris £6.99
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: Jan-FebFlower colour: blue, green and yellowOther features: sword-shaped leavesHardiness: fully hardyBulb Size: 6/7The great attributes of this plant have been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society and they have given it the Award of Garden Merit.The flowers are breathtakingly intricate. Each bloom has a creamy-yellow base, overlaid with sky blue and a deep yellow centre, with green flecks and spots. These appear in January to February so they are up at the same time as the crocuses. They make excellent container and rock garden flowers.Garden care: Plant bulbs 5cm deep in the autumn in a sunny spot in well-drained soil. Water moderately while they are actively growing and keep reasonably dry during their dormant period.
American onion
American onion £5.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May to JulyFlower colour: pinkish-purpleOther features: Dried flower-heads are useful for flower arrangementsHardiness: semi hardyBulb Size: 5The flowers on this Allium are quite papery, which means they last longer than many of the other varieties. In spring the first sign of growth is the appearance of the strappy foliage. This has usually died off by the time the flowers appear in late spring. The pinky-purple, bell shaped flowers emerge in clusters of up to 20 at a time on top of single stems. A great plant for an alpine bed or to add colour to the front of a mixed border.Garden care: Plant bulbs 5cm deep and 5cm apart in clumps or drifts. Avoid excessive soil moisture and split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.
tall bearded iris
tall bearded iris £5.99
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to acidic soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May and JuneFlower colour: pinkOther features: all parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingestedHardiness: fully hardy,A nearly pure white bearded iris, but the white standards have a faint hint of pale blue towards their edges. The falls are more noticeably veined and they have a yellow beard. Overall, they are glorious. It is a reliable performer, with large flowers on tall stems above the fan of sword-shaped foliage. Like all irises, it is worth preparing the soil before planting by adding plenty of well rotted manure or good garden compost to provide nitrogen and other nutrients.Garden care: Bearded irises prefer full sun and neutral-alkaline soil, but if you have acidic or peaty soils you can top-dress with lime before planting for good results. Plant shallowly with the upper part of the rhizome sitting on the surface of the soil, incorporating a low nitrogen fertiliser in the planting hole. After planting remove the upper-most third of the leaves to protect against wind-rock. In exposed areas stake with bamboo canes in early spring. Divide and replant about every three years.
Jacob's rod
Jacob's rod £5.99
Position: full sunSoil: any well drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to JulyHardiness: fully hardyAn easy to grow perennial that has great architectural form. It is perfect for incorporating into gravel gardens or meadow style planting schemes. The narrow, bluish-green, grass-like foliage forms clumps from which leafy stems arise in early summer bearing dense spikes of pale yellow, star-shaped flowers. The overall impression is distictly upright, so it is good for adding vertical interest. Natives of Austraia, Italy and the eastern Mediterranean, where they flourish in sunny, dry meadows.Garden care: Avoid overly damp soils, especially during the winter.
garlic
garlic £5.99
Position: full sunSoil: any soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyElephant garlic is a great addition to any herbaceous border or vegetable bed. Each bulb is approximately 5-6 inches across and a single clove of elephant garlic can be as large as a whole bulb of ordinary garlic. Closely related to the leek the elephant garlic has a much milder flavour, much sweeter than ordinary garlic.Garden care: Plant from November to early march (if frost permits). Space the cloves 15cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Uproot as soon as the leaves start to fade and dry the bulbs before use.
ornamental onion
ornamental onion £4.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: JulyHardiness: fully hardyBulb Size: 18/20Largish spherical flowerheads made up of numerous star-shaped, deep violet flowers appear in summer. The enormous flowerheads, measuring up to 15cm, look great in pots or borders where they can be seen in their full glory.  They are also perfect for a sunny border, dotted in groups among ornamental grasses, or as part of a Mediterranean scheme. Alliums look best planted between medium-sized herbaceous plants, which help to mask the strap-like leaves, which fade by the time the flowers appear. Garden care: Enrich the soil with added compost and plant the bulbs 15cm deep. Space them at 25cm intervals to take full advantage of the big flower heads. Make sure the soil does not get too wet or waterlogged, and divide large clumps in autumn or spring