New products at Crocus
by Sarah - March 3rd, 2010.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
New items today at Crocus
rose Charles de Mills (gallica) £11.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: JulyFlower colour: magenta-pinkOther features: excellent cut-flowers; almost thorn-less stemsHardiness: fully hardyOpulent, fully double, fragrant, magenta-pink flowers with closely packed petals in July and mid-green leaves. This gorgeous, old, Gallica rose is ideal for a mixed or shrub border or grown as an informal, flowering hedge. Upright and arching in habit, it performs best in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in full sun.Garden care: Before planting shorten thick roots to 25cm (10in) and reduce top-growth to an outward-facing bud 8-15cm (3-6in) above ground-level. Plant during a frost-free spell, incorporating well-rotted organic matter and a balanced fertiliser into the planting hole. Ensure that the ‘bud union’ (the bulge at the base of the shoots) is 2.5cm (1in) below the soil.All our roses are field grown. In October/November they are dug up and potted. However, they will not produce any new roots until spring, so don’t be surprised if the compost falls away from the roots when winter planting. Some suppliers send out ‘bare root’ plants unpotted, but we don’t as it is easier to manage them on the nursery in pots.
veronica £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: poor or moderately fertile, moist, well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: August and SeptemberFlower colour: violet-blueOther features: dark green leaves, red-purple when youngHardiness: frost hardyIn late summer, violet-blue flowers appear on purplish-brown shoots above the attractive foliage. The green leaves are tinged with red and purple when young, and have prominent, brown-purple midribs. This medium sized, rounded shrub is ideal for a well-drained border in sun or part shade. It’s particularly suitable for urban or coastal gardens since it tolerates urban pollution and salt-laden air. Garden care: Needs minimal pruning. Remove misplaced or frost damaged branches in late spring.
barrenwort £6.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingFlowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyPretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airiness to a shady border. The leaves of this variety are semi-evergreen and flushed with bronze in spring and autumn. In spring, it has masses of tiny, bell-shaped pure white flowers with long spurs, held on wiry, red-tinted stems. A perfect groundcover plant to lighten up shady areas or for planting en masse under deciduous trees.Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well-rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn
rock cranesbill £6.99
Position: full sun or full shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast growingFlowering period: May to AugustHardiness: fully hardyClusters of small, saucer shaped, white flowers are held on slender stems above strongly aromatic, light green leaves from May to September. This is one of the most versatile and useful geraniums, as it will thrive even in dry shade. The deeply cut, semi-evergreen foliage also spreads quickly to form low hummocks that suppress weeds for most of the year. It looks lovely with strongly shaped perennials, such as bergenia, or polemonium, or planted en masse under trees, and is also valuable for hiding the foliage of spring bulbs as they die down. The leaves often turn red in the autumn, too. Garden care: Carefully weed by hand – hoeing can break rhizomes as these are very close to the surface. Lift and divide large colonies in spring.