Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - April 15th, 2010.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

New items today at Crocus

water lily
water lily £19.99
Position: full sunDepth of water: 75-120cm (30-48in)Rate of growth: fast-growingUltimate spread: 220cm (84in)Height above surface: 0-10cm (0-4in) Flowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyLarge, slightly scented, magnolia-like, white flowers with several ruffs of upright, pointed petals and orange centres float on a carpet of overlapping, mid-green leaves. This vigorous water lily flowers earlier than other varieties. It needs plenty of space, so makes an excellent choice for a lake or large, deep, wildlife pond, where the leaves create a shady underwater habitat for native fish and amphibians. 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.

foxtail lily
foxtail lily £9.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, sandy, well-drained soil, including alkaline soilRate of growth: fastFlowering period: June and JulyHardiness: fully hardyStately, slender spikes packed with burnt orange flowers soar above strap shaped, bluish-green leaves in early and mid summer. This spectacular foxtail lily makes a bold statement towards the back of a sunny, well-drained border. It’s best partnered with late-flowering perennials and tall grasses which help to mask the plant’s short lived foliage.Foxtail lilies need to be planted in fertile but well-drained soil with the crown not far below soil level. They start to grow in late winter and spring, gathering their strength before they produce their towering flower spikes in summer. Each flower spike has hundres of flowers which open from the bottom upwards, creating a stunning effect. They thrive in the sunniest spot in the garden, especially if the base of the plant isn’t shaded as this can decrease the number of flowering spikes produced. Garden care: In September every three to five years carefully lift and divide congested clumps. Replant the strongest crown on a layer of sharp grit, spreading out the roots and covering them with a thin (5cm/2in) layer of soil. In frost-prone areas cover with a dry mulch of fern leaves.
delphinium
delphinium £8.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June and July Flower colour: pale sky-blue with a white eyeOther features: all parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested; contact with the sap may cause skin irritation; excellent cut-flowers; deeply lobed, mid-green leavesHardiness: fully hardy Pretty pale blue flowers rise in spires above the foliage in early summer. This variety is relatively low growing but is still great for adding vertical vertical interest in the middle of a herbaceous border. To encourage a second flush of flowers in late summer you should cut the flowered stems back as soon as they have finished.Garden care: For best results choose an open spot away from taller plants. If necessary stake with bamboo canes as they start to shoot upwards in mid-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. Protect the young foliage against slug-damage in spring and at the end of autumn cut back and compost the faded flower-stems.
delphinium
delphinium £8.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June and JulyHardiness: fully hardyA fantastic, vigourous delphinium whose towering spikes of purple flowers have iridiscent flecks of electric blue that catch the light, and white eyes. Plant in bold clumps to add a touch of magic to a cottage-garden scheme or towards the back of a well-drained, sunny border, where they will add height and bold splashes of colour. They make excellent cut flowers. Further flowering in the autumn may be encouraged by cutting back after flowering.Garden care: Protect young foliage against slug and snail damage in spring. Stake with bamboo canes in mid-spring, before the flowers appear. 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.
foxtail lily
foxtail lily £7.99
Position:full sunSoil: fertile, sandy, well-drained soil, including alkaline soilRate of growth: fastFlowering period: June and JulyHardiness: fully hardy (borderline)A recently introduced Ruiter hybrid, with spectacular tapering plumes that are clothed with brilliant white flowers, that open gradually from the bottom upwards. Enjoy them in the garden, or cut them and add to arrangements inside the house where they will often last for many weeks.Foxtail lilies need to be planted in fertile but well-drained soil with the crown not far below soil level. They start to grow in late winter and spring, gathering their strength before they produce their towering flower spikes in summer. Each flower spike has hundres of flowers which open from the bottom upwards, creating a stunning effect. They thrive in the sunniest spot in the garden, especially if the base of the plant isn’t shaded as this can decrease the number of flowering spikes produced.Garden care: In September every three to five years carefully lift and divide congested clumps. Replant the strongest crown on a layer of sharp grit, spreading out the roots and covering them with a thin (5cm/2in) layer of soil. In frost-prone areas cover with a dry mulch of fern leaves.
foxtail lily
foxtail lily £7.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, sandy, well-drained soil, including alkaline soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June and JulyHardiness: fully hardyStately, slender spikes of deep yellow flowers soar above strap shaped, bluish-green leaves in early and mid summer. This spectacular foxtail lily makes a bold statement towards the back of a sunny, well-drained border. It’s best partnered with late-flowering perennials and tall grasses which help to mask the plant’s short lived folliage.Foxtail lilies need to be planted in fertile but well-drained soil with the crown not far below soil level. They start to grow in late winter and spring, gathering their strength before they produce their towering flower spikes in summer. Each flower spike has hundreds of flowers which open from the bottom upwards, creating a stunning effect. They thrive in the sunniest spot in the garden, especially if the base of the plant isn’t shaded as this can decrease the number of flowering spikes produced. Garden care: In September every three to five years carefully lift and divide congested clumps. Replant the strongest crown on a layer of sharp grit, spreading out the roots and covering them with a thin (5cm/2in) layer of soil. In frost-prone areas cover with a dry mulch of fern leaves.Goes well with: Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Knautia macedonica, Verbena bonariensis, Veronicastrum virginicum f. album, Echinacea purpurea, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Nippon’
strawberry - mid season fruiting
strawberry – mid season fruiting £7.49
Position: full sunSoil: any soilRate of growth: fast-growingOther features: tasty, orange-red fruit (mid-June to mid-July) Cropping times may be brought forward or extended if you are growing them in a greenhouse or cloche tunnel.Hardiness: fully hardyAn excellent strawberry that produces masses of glossy, highly aromatic fruit that have a good shelf life. Great for the home grower as the strawberries have a delicious taste and it can grow on most soils. The orange-red fruit are produced from mid-June to mid-July.Garden care: Prepare the ground well before planting. Clear all the weeds and dig in lots of well-rotted manure. When planting out, space the plants at 45cm intervals with 75cm between each row and apply a generous layer of mulch around the base of the plants, being careful to avoid the crown. When the strawberries are starting to form, put a thick layer of straw or use strawberry mats under the plants to stop the fruit touching the soil. Sheets of black plastic mulch can also be used, and it will also help retain soil moisture, reduce weeds and encourage early cropping. Strawberries can also be planted in tubs, containers and hanging baskets.These runners are sent out bare root (ie not potted up) and should be planted on arrival. They may look dry on delivery, but should put on new growth within a few weeks after planting.
knapweed
knapweed £6.99
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, preferably poor soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: June to OctoberFlower colour: bronzeOther features: the flowers are loved by butterflies and beesHardiness: fully hardyEasy to grow and ideal for naturalised planting schemes, this delightful knapweed will act as a magnet to nearby wildlife. The flowers appear for a really long period from early summer, and if you leave them on the plant once they have faded, they will form beautiful seedheads. These will open like silver stars to release their seeds (a treat for the birds) and then go on to add structural interest to the winter garden. Garden care: Stake with bamboo canes or brushwood before the flowers appear. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. In autumn resist the temptation to remove the faded flowerheads as the subsequent seedheads are really attractive in winter. Lift and divide large clumps every three years in spring.
avens
avens £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: fastFlowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyA stunning variety of avens with fiery orange flowers from June to September, held on wiry stems above pretty hummocks of puckered, foliage. This easy-to-grow geum looks at its best among other ‘hot’ coloured flowers towards the front of well-drained border in sun or partial shade. Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps every year in early spring or late autumn.