New products at Crocus
by Sarah - April 28th, 2010.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
New lines today at Crocus
rose Bobbie James (rambler) £12.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to August Flower colour: creamy whiteHardiness: fully hardyThis is a beauty. In summer it produces extra large, heavy clusters of small, semi-double flowers that have a heady scent. These are followed in autumn by small, orange-red hips that look really pretty, especially in frosty weather. Because of its size, it is suitable for training through a tree, and as it is so tough and reliable it will happily compete with the trees root system once it has had a chance to become established. Alternatively just plant it where you want to cover any large or unsightly area.Garden care: Before planting shorten thick roots to 25cm (10in) and reduce top-growth to an outward-facing bud 20-30cm (8-12in) 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.
alpine clematis (group 1) £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: April to MayFlower colour: sky blueOther features: very tough clematis that is ideal for cold, exposed sitesHardiness: fully hardySlightly twisted, sky blue bells in mid- to late spring. These are followed by whiskery seedheads which cover the plant later in the year. This clematis reliably blooms each spring, no matter what the weather is and is perfect for a sunny trellis. It is one of the easiest clematis to look after as it needs little or no pruning.Garden care: Pruning is not essential but you can remove any dead or weak growth in early summer to encourage strong new growth. Mulch in late winter with garden compost or well-rotted manure but avoid the immediate crown.
goji berry £9.99
Position: full sunSoil: any soil except very wetRate of growth: fast-growingOther features: sweet fruits ready to harvest in late summerHardiness: fully hardy once established (some protection may be needed in its first winter)Originating from the Himalayas and hailed as a super-food which can be used for boosting your immune system and cleansing impurities, the berries of this plant are said to be very high in vitamin C and iron. This is a fast and easy to grow shrub, which produces white and purple, trumpet shaped flowers in early summer. These are followed by shiny red berries, which can either be eaten straight off the bush, or dried and eaten like sweet, mildly licorice flavoured treats later on. It can also be grown in a good sized tub on a sunny patio, provided it is kept well fed and watered. (please note that the plants we sell are produced within the EU.)Garden care: Prepare the ground well before planting. Remove all weeds and dig in plenty of well-rotted manure in to the area. Each spring mulch well with well-rotted manure to help keep the soil moist and add nutrients. Any necessary pruning should be undertaken in spring, as the plant starts to put on new growth, but to ensure a good crop of berries it is best kept to a minimum.
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.
lily-turf £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, well-drained, neutral to acid soilRate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: August to November Flower colour: whiteOther features: deep-green grassy foliage Hardiness: fully hardySlightly slower growing that its more commonly seen blue form, this plant is definitely worth the wait. The deep green, strap-shaped foliage forms tight, evergreen clumps from which the poker-like white flowerspikes emerge in late summer and autumn. It is a low maintenance plant, which is tolerant of shade and drought, although it will flower better if it gets a little sun. It looks great when planted in big swathes underneath trees, where little else will grow, and is especially good at controlling erosion on steep banks and slopes once it has had a chance to become established. Garden care: In spring you can lift and divide large clumps.
masterwort £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, preferably humus-rich soilRate of Growth: fast-growingFlowering period: June to SeptemberFlowers: soft pinkOther features: excellent cut and dried flowersHardiness: fully hardyDelicate, papery, soft pink flowers which are held on wiry stems above attractive deeply lobed, mid-green leaves. This delightful masterwort is a vigorous variety with a much longer flowering period than most pink or red varieties. It looks particularly fetching planted with grasses and is garden designer, Piet Oudolf’s favourite masterwort.Astrantias have been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century and have numerous common names, such as melancholy gentleman, Hattie’s pincushion and the more well known masterwort.Garden care: Incorporate plenty of organic matter when planting and water well in dry weather especially newly established plants. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7 cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don’t like having their roots disturbed.
sneezeweed £6.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: August and SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyAn upright, perennial that looks brilliant planted in bold drifts where its bright flowerheads can illuminate a border from midsummer to early autumn. Rich yellow ray florets surround the brown centre creating a golden glow that will also act as a magnet to bees and butterflies. It works well in mixed borders or more naturalised planting schemes and it associates very well with grasses.Garden care: Heleniums are versatile plants that love plenty of sunshine and moist soil. They rarely suffer from pests or diseases, however young plants do need to be protected from slug attack. Tall varieties need to be staked. To encourage the plant to repeat flower deadhead back to side shoots that have flower buds emerging. Cut back by half after flowering to help prevent mildew. Cut down to the ground in late winter. Every two to three years divide the plants in spring to keep them in top condition. When replanting add loads of well-rotted organic matter to the soil to feed them and keep them moist.
Armenian cranesbill £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drainedRate of growth: fast growingFlowering period: June to AugustFlowers: magentaHardiness: fully hardyThis vigorous Armenian cranesbill produces a mass of shallow cup-shaped, vivid magenta flowers with black centres and veins from early to late summer. It quickly forms loose hummocks of deeply cut, mid-green leaves, which turn a fabulous shade of red in autumn. An excellent plant for the middle of the border.Garden care: In midsummer rejuvenate plants that are beginning to look jaded, by removing old flowered stems and leaves. Lift and divide large colonies in spring.
cranesbill £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast growingFlowering period: May to JulyHardiness: fully hardyThis early-flowering, dwarf geranium has small, deep pink flowers with maroon veins and centres and pretty, deeply cut, grey-green leaves. It looks particularly good planted en masse in a rock garden, or at the edge of a raised border, where its rather shy flowers can be appreciated. Provided it has good drainage, it will produce a mass of attractively veined pink flowers from late spring to early summer.Garden care: In midsummer rejuvenate plants that are beginning to look jaded, by removing old flowered stems and leaves. Lift and divide large colonies in spring.