New products at Crocus
by Sarah - March 31st, 2010.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
New products at Crocus
apple £29.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageUltimate size on M27 rootstock: 1.8 x 18m (6ft x 6ft)Ultimate size on M26 rootstock: 3 x 3m (10 x 10ft)Flowering period: April and MayHardiness: fully hardyPollination Group: B – flowering mid seasonPretty, pure white, cup-shaped flowers in mid and late spring, followed by sweet, red, dessert apples for harvesting in early October. This robust apple tree produces a heavy crop of fruits with a Cox-like flavour, but a crisper texture and juicy, white flesh. It is ideal for colder areas.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.Pollination Information: This apple belongs to pollination group B, so you will need need to plant one other different variety of apple to guarantee cross pollination, and a subsequent bumper crop. Ideally this should come from the same pollination group, however it is possible to use one from group A or C as well.
bush honeysuckle £12.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drainedRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May to JuneFlower colour: tiny yellow flowersOther features: beautiful foliage colourHardiness: fully hardyRecently developed in the USA, this fascinating introduction is the first variegated form. Its white-edged, green foliage holds its colour well and is perfect for illuminating partially shaded spots, where it will tolerate some drought once it has had a chance to become established. A close relative of Weigela, it forms a densely branched, rounded, deciduous shrub and produces tiny yellow flowers in late spring and early summer.Garden care: Cut back to a low, permanent framework each spring as the buds are beginning to swell, and apply a generous layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
vegetable-growing-set £11.99
This Growing Vegetable Set includes a watering tray, capillary matting and has 19 individual square pots. The growing tray holds plants steady and is easy to handle.
clematis (group 2) £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soil, neutral soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to SeptemberFlower colour: blueHardiness: fully hardyA beautiful clematis with blue, medium sized flowers that are produced in profusion in June to September. Because of its compact form it is excellent for growing in a large container to cover a small trellis, or allow to scramble through the shrub border.Garden care: Remove dead and damaged stems before growth begins in early spring, cutting all remaining stems back to where strong buds are visible. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.
fuchsia £8.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to OctoberHardiness: fully hardy (borderline)Showy, scarlet and purple flowers hang from arching stems from June to October among slender, deep green leaves. This vigorous, single-flowered fuchsia makes a lovely feature plant for a partially shady border. Bushy and upright in habit, it performs best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil with protection from cold, drying winds.Garden care: To encourage growth, pinch out the growing tips of young plants after the sixth or seventh pair of leaves. During the growing season water regularly, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser each month. Cut back to the permanent framework in early spring.
bearded iris £8.99
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May and JuneHardiness: fully hardyA really arresting sight in May and June, when the violet flowers and cornflower-blue beards appear among sword-shaped, grey-green leaves. This may not be one of the fanciest irises around, but what it lacks in originality it makes up in quantity, flowering prolifically throughout early summer.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.
clematis (group 1) £8.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained, neutral soilRate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: May and June Flower colour: bright cherry-pinkHardiness: fully hardyBeautiful, bright cherry-pink flowers in May and June amid purple-flushed, mid-green leaves. This award-winning form of montana clematis is ideal for covering a wall or fence in a north-facing site. A less vigorous relation of Clematis montana ‘Pink Perfection’, it’s perfect for small gardens.Garden care: No routine pruning is necessary. If the spread of the plant needs to be restricted prune immediately after flowering, cutting back overlong shoots to healthy buds. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.
blue wheat grass £6.99
Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, moist but well drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Flower Colour: purple fading to strawOther features: intense silver or blue foliage colourOriginating from coastal areas in South America, this tough little grass will thrive in exposed positions in full sun. Its silvery blue, semi-evergreen foliage may die off in colder winters, but it is extremely eye-catching throughout summer. Throughout summer stiff, upright stems are topped with bluish-purple flowerheads uo to 20cm long, which gradually fade to a biscuit colour as they mature. Plant it in hot, dry spots where it will slowly form spreading clumps. It looks great in a gravel or coastal gardens where it will virtually thrive on neglect.Garden care: Avoid excessive winter wet and summer humidity. Divide congested colonies in spring.
mullein £6.99
Position: Full sun Soil: poor, well-drained, alkaline soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to August Flower colour: brownish-pink Hardiness: fully hardy Erect spires of saucer-shaped, brownish-pink flowers with purple centres from May to August above rosettes of grey-green leaves A comparatively recent introduction, this brownish-pink verbascum is valued for its neat habit. Perfect for the middle of a sunny border or cottage garden it prefers poor, well-drained, alkaline soils. Garden care: Mullein moth caterpillars can be a problem: pick off the insects in early June as soon as they appear. Remove faded flower-spikes. Apply a thick 5-7cm 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.
red hot poker £6.99
barrenwort £6.99
bergamot £6.49
lungwort £6.49
verbena £6.49
gaura £5.99
dead nettle £5.99
thyme £5.99
foxglove £5.99
Balkan clary £4.99
snowdrop – In The Green £3.49