Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - November 22nd, 2009.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

New products added today at Crocus

yellow-groove bamboo
yellow-groove bamboo £24.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageLeaves: mid-greenCanes: rich yellowHardiness: fully hardyA tall, coloured-stemmed bamboo with rich yellow canes with a few green stripes at the base. This green leaved bamboo looks spectacular grown as a specimen. One of our ‘highly recommended plants’, it should be planted next to a building or path where the near-luminous, yellow to burnt orange coloured canes can be enjoyed all year.Garden care: Plant in a large container or surround the roots with a non-perishable barrier that restricts the plant’s spread.

water lily (syn. N. pygmaea 'Alba')
water lily (syn. N. pygmaea ‘Alba’) £18.99
Position: full sunDepth of water: 15-30cm (6-12in)Rate of growth: averageUltimate spread: 40cm (16in)Height above surface: 0-10cm (0-4in) Flowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardySmall, slightly fragrant, cup-shaped white flowers up to 5cm (2in) across with slightly scalloped petals float atop round, mid green leaves from June to September. These award-winning pygmy water lilies will happily grow in as little as 15cm (6in) of water, and they are perfect candidates for a small pond or tub in a sheltered, sunny site. The shade cast by the leaves also helps to check the spread of the algae.Garden care: Plant firmly in a hessian-lined aquatic planting basket filled with aquatic compost. Apply a 2.5cm (1in) top-dressing of pea shingle or gravel to prevent the top layer of the planting medium from clouding the water. The crown of the plant should protrude slightly above the surface of the planting basket.
water lily
water lily £18.99
Position: full sunDepth of water: 10-30cm (4-12in)Rate of growth: averageUltimate spread: 30cm (12in)Height above surface: 0-10cm (0-4in)Hardiness: fully hardySmall, star-shaped flowers that open pink and age to warm red appear from June to September. This lovely pygmy water lily will happily grow in a shallow pond or half barrel as it only spreads to about 30cm wide. This award-winning pygmy water lily will happily grow in as little as 15cm (6in) or water and is a perfect candidate for a small pond or tub in a sheltered sunny site. The shade cast by the foliage also helps to check the spread of algae. Garden care: Plant firmly in a hessian-lined aquatic planting basket filled with aquatic compost. Apply a 2.5cm (1in) top-dressing of pea shingle or gravel to prevent the top layer of the planting medium from clouding the water. The crown of the plant should protrude slightly above the surface of the planting basket.
English yew
English yew £8.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingOther features: yellow, male cones in spring; female plants produce fleshy, cup-shaped, bright red autumn fruits; all parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingestedHardiness: fully hardyTo find out more about how to plant a hedge, click hereNeedle-like, dark green leaves on horizontal branches and fleshy, cup-shaped, bright-red autumn fruits on female plants. The dark green foliage of this slow-growing, evergreen conifer provides an excellent background for shrub and herbaceous borders. Broadly conical in shape, it’s tolerant to dry shade, chalky and acid soils and urban pollution. Common box makes a fabulous formal hedge.Garden care: Trim or renovate in summer or early autumn.
fennel - bronze
fennel – bronze £7.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained solRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: July to AugustFlower colour: yellowOther features: tender leaves can be used for fish dishes and saucesHardiness: fully hardyFine clouds of feathery, bronze-purple leaves and flat-topped, sulphur-yellow flowerheads in mid- to late summer, followed by aromatic seeds. Fennel is the perfect centre-piece for a sunny herb garden. An invaluable border plant, the foliage provides a delicate foil against which the flower heads of herbaceous plants and bulbs can be seen.Garden care: The plant’s tendency to self-seed may be a problem in hot summers. If fennel is being grown exclusively for its foliage remove the yellow flowerheads to prevent it from self-seeding. When flowers have finished them cut back to 30cm from the ground.
delphinium
delphinium £7.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June and July Flower colour: very pale lilacHardiness: fully hardyThis towering delphinium has semi-double, white flowers with a pale lavender flush, a white eye and dark violet veins on the back of the petals. The flowers appear in June and July and form impressive upright spires which look fantastic planted in bold clumps as part of a cottage-garden scheme or towards the back of a well-drained, sunny border, where they will add height and lightness. The flowers last for around six weeks, but you can often get a second flush of flowers later in the summer if you cut the flowered stems back as soon as they have finished.Garden care: For best resultschoose an open spot away from taller plants and stake with bamboo canes as they start to shoot upwards in mid-spring. Protect young foliage against slug and snail damage in spring. During the growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks and wearing gloves cut back the faded flower-stems to a flowering side-shoot to encourage repeat flowering. At the end of autumn cut back and compost the faded flower stems.
sea holly
sea holly £7.99
Position: full sunSoil: moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: August to October Flower colour: steely blueOther features: superb foliageHardiness: fully hardyThis delightful Sea Holly has long lasting, bright metallic-blue flowers that arrive in mid to late summer and usually last well into the autumn. They have a strong architectural shape, so are best in uncrowded borders where they can really stand out on their own. Honey bees love their flowers so they are a perfect for adding to a sunny, wildlife-friendly garden.Garden care: Lift and divide large colonies in spring. Avoid the temptation to cut back the flowerheads in autumn as they provide interest in the winter garden.
bearded iris
bearded iris £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to acidic soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May and JuneHardiness: fully hardyDeservedly popular, this variety has traditionally shaped purple-black flowers with standards that reach up and overlap at the top, while the velvety falls curl downwards. They are deliciously scented and have a touch of mustard through the beard. They look mouth-watering perched on top of fans of sword-shaped, grey-green leaves. This tall bearded iris looks stunning planted en masse in a sunny, well-drained border or as part of a cottage-garden scheme.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 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.
burnet
burnet £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: poor-to-average, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to SeptemberFlower colour: redHardiness: fully hardyOne of Piet Oudolph’s favourites. In spring, the deciduous, feathery, green foliage emerges and forms attractive groundcover, but it is the summer when the unusual red flowers top the slender, upright stems that it really becomes a head-turner. Perefect for prairie style planting schemes, as it looks right at home in a swaying sea of grasses.Garden care: Divide plants in spring or autumn