Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - March 14th, 2010.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

Crocus just added these new products

beehive-composter
beehive-composter £99.99
This beehive shaped compost bin is a more decorative option for home composting. The lid is held open with a handy prop and there is a bottom opening flap for easy compost retrieval. Manufactured from pressure treated softwood and supplied flat packed.Measurements: 86 x 74 x 74cm

olive tree - ( 1/2 standard )
olive tree – ( 1/2 standard ) £44.99
Position: full sunSoil: deep, fertile, sharply drained soil (or loam-based potting compost for container-grown specimens)Rate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: June to AugustHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas)As our climate gets milder, the popularity of olive trees continues to grow. Olives respond particularly well to pruning, and they look elegant and modern grown as standards with a long, clear stem. The leaves are pointed, grey-green and leathery and are retained all year. Tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers are followed in hot summers by edible, green fruits. Olive trees make excellent specimens for a sunny, Mediterranean-style garden, or try this standard in a large pot to frame an entrance or terrace. In milder winters it can be left outdoors in a sheltered spot, otherwise, it will need to be overwintered under glass.Garden care: To protect against wind damage stake using a low angled stake, driven into the ground on the windward side at a 45° angle. Water regularly during dry periods, keeping the planting area weed-free. Apply a top-dressing of a nitrogen-rich general purpose fertiliser twice or three times each year during the growing season.Size Guide:Standard plants have a 40-45cm clear stem with a 30-35cm diameter head
star jasmine
star jasmine £34.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to AugustFlower colour: white flowersOther features: very fragrant flowersHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)An attractive woody, evergreen climber with rich, dark green leaves which turn bronze in winter. Clusters of fragrant, pure white flowers are produced from mid- to late summer. It is best grown against a warm, sunny wall in milder areas or in a greenhouse or conservatory in areas prone to severe frosts.Garden care: After flowering has finished prune back to fit the available space. In frost prone areas, grow in pots of loam-based potting compost, such as John Innes No2 and move to a frost-free spot in winter.
kumquat
kumquat £29.99
Position: full sun outside in summer, and a bright, light in a conservatory in winterSoil: moist but well-drained soil. John Innes No2 compost should be used when potting upRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to JulyFlower colour: whiteOther features: tart and acidic fruits and deliciously scented flowersHardiness: tender (needs winter protection)An interesting addition to the citrus family, the edible fruit of this evergreen tree looks like mini, oval oranges. Slow growing, with dark, glossy leaves, the pure white flowers have a delicious scent. These are followed by the very sour, acidic fruits, which are generally in season from late autumn to mid-winter. Needing temperatures above 7C at all times, it can be grown on a sunny patio in summer, but will need an unheated conservatory or greenhouse to over-winter.Garden care: In pots grow in soil-based compost in full sun. Feed every two weeks in the growing season with a special citrus fertiliser. Pot on or top-dress plants in late winter. Move outside after the risk of frost has passed to a sunny, sheltered patio.
lemon
lemon £24.99
Position: a sunny patio outside, or bright conservatory in winterSoil: moist but well-drained soil. John Innes No2 compost should be used when potting upRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to SeptemberFlower colour: whiteOther features: exceptionally flavoured lemons and deliciously scented flowers.Hardiness: tender (needs winter protection)Half price was £49.99 A remarkable, heavy-cropping, little tree with glossy, dark green leaves and smooth-skinned, bright golden fruit with exceptional flavour. This clever variety is unique in that it keeps on producing flowers from spring to autumn, so it is possible to have flowers, small, un-ripened fruit as well as ready-to-pick lemons on the plant at the same time. One of the hardiest lemon trees available, it can be grown on a sunny patio in summer, but will need an unheated conservatory or greenhouse to over-winter. The plants may not arrive with fully developed lemons, but they are top-notch, quality plants.Garden care: Ideally grow in a pot which is easily moved from terrace to conservatory, in soil-based compost. Feed every two weeks with a special citrus fertiliser (there is one for summer and another for winter), and pot on or top-dress plants in late winter. Move outside after the risk of frost has passed to a sunny, sheltered patio.
orange - mini
orange – mini £24.99
Position: full sunSoil: moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to JulyHardiness: tender to frost hardy (will need protection in winter)Fabulous, fragrant white flowers are produced singly on branches throughout the summer.These are followed by medium-sized, thin-skinned, juicy tangerines that separate easily into segments. A great plant for growing in a pot on a sunny patio, but it will need to be moved in to a frost-free place in winter.Garden care: In pots grow in John Innes No2 potting compost in full sun. Feed every two weeks in the growing season with a balanced plant food. Pot on or top-dress plants in late winter. Outdoors grow in slightly acidic, well-drained soil in full sun. Minimal pruning is required.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea £19.99
Position: full sunSoil: loam-based potting compostRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to SeptemberHardiness: tenderA common sight in Mediterranean countries, bougainvillea produces magnificent clouds of magenta floral bracts from July to September. It grows quickly and is evergreen, and can be grown outside on a sunny patio, provided it is brought indoors in autumn. Alternatively, it makes an ideal conservatory plant.Bougainvilleas can be long-lived and last for over 50 years if given the correct care. They much prefer a heated conservatory and tend to go dormant at around 10C, when they lose their leaves and flowers. Temperatures below this can be fatal. Once dormant, keep on the dry side until they come back into growth. When they are growing well feed weekly with a balanced liquid fertiliser and lightly prune to keep the plant bushy.Garden care: Water moderately during the growing season, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser each month. Water sparingly during winter and re-pot or top-dress in spring.
ornamental onion
ornamental onion £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any moderately fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: May and JuneHardiness: fully hardyA really unusual ornamental onion, with an umbrella of hanging, bell-shaped, creamy green flowers flushed with lilac on stiff stems in May and June. This tall, exotic-looking, bulbous perennial will add vertical interest in a sunny, well-drained border and thrives in partial shade, too. As the flowers fade, they turn upright to form curious, shuttlecock-like seedheads that extend the season of interest and add a twist to flower arrangements. Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn.
mullein
mullein £7.99
Position: full sunSoil: poor, well-drained, alkaline soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to August Flower colour: butter yellowHardiness: fully hardyAn attractive rosette-forming biennial that is covered in silky silver hairs. In summer tall spikes of saucer-shaped, butter yellow flowers appear above white-wholly basal leaves. A stunning plant for the back of a sunny border or planted in dramatic swathes in an island bed.Garden care: Mullein moth caterpillars can be a problem, so look out for them in early June and pick them off as soon as they appear. Remove faded flower-spikes. Apply a thick 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch around the base of the plant in early spring.It is worth keeping in mind that these plants are mainly biennial, so although they usually self-seed freely, the plant will only live for two years
Golden-scented thyme
Golden-scented thyme £5.99
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained neutral to alkaline soilRate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: June to July Flower colour: lavender-pinkOther features: the aromatic leaves are a useful ingredient in bouquet garni, stuffings and sauces; highly attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinating insectsHardiness: fully hardyPale, lavender-pink summer flowers and luscious, lemon-scented grey-green leaves, tinged yellow. Lemon-scented thyme makes a lovely, summer flowering scented edge for a sunny herb garden. Perfect for planting in between paving stones, the aromatic leaves are an important ingredient in bouquet garni, stuffings and sauces.Garden care: After flowering cut back hard using garden shears to retain a neat compact shape. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring.