Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - May 7th, 2010.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

New products added today at Crocus

common box - ball
common box – ball £25.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingOther features: contact with the sap may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardyA pair of these tightly rounded box spheres is excellent for flanking a set of steps, doorway or path. One of our recommended plants, they’re perfect for planting in a large, well-drained, terracotta pot in a partially shady site, where the glossy, dark-green leaves provide all year foliage interest and structure.Box are happy growing in a sunny spot but the combination of dry soil and full sun may encourage poor growth and leaf scorching. If you have sandy soil it is best to keep them in a partially shady spot in the garden.Garden care: Ensure that the soil or compost is never allowed to dry out. Carefully cut back plants grown as hedges or topiary in mid- or late summer. Carry out rejuvenative pruning in late spring. After pruning apply a top-dressing of a balanced slow-release fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone (organic) or Osmacote (inorganic) around the base of the plant, ensuring that none touches the leaves or stems.

the-boot-scraper
the-boot-scraper £24.99
Keep this attractive metal boot scraper by the door to make sure that muddy boots dont ruin the floors in your home. It is made of metal that has a rusted finish and its design has been inspired by boot scrapers of yester-year so it has oodles of old-world charm. The technique is simple. First you scrape off the worst of the mud using the flattened metal bar on top, and then you use the brush to remove the remainder.Measures: 30 x 20 x 21cm
water lily
water lily £19.99
Position: full sunDepth of water: 45-75cm (18-30in)Rate of growth: averageUltimate spread: 90cm (36in)Height above surface: 0-10cm (0-4in) Flowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyShowy, cup-shaped burgundy-red flowers up to 12cm (5in) across with orange centres appear from June to September. The round, pale green leaves are bronze-tinted when young. This popular, red water lily is one of our recommended plants, since it’s ideal for a small pond. It is best planted at a depth of 45-75cm (18-30in). 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. Raise the basket on bricks when the plant is young, gradually lowering them as the plant matures, so that the leaves float on the surface.
water lily
water lily £19.99
Position: full sunDepth of water: 30-45cm (12-18in)Rate of growth: averageUltimate spread: 150cm (60in)Height above surface: 0-10cm (0-4in) Flowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardySmall, orange-centred cup-shaped flowers which age from apricot-red through orange-red to burgundy-red. This dwarf lily is one of our recommended plants for small ponds. The attractive, maroon-splashed oval leaves and ephemeral flowers provide interest from early summer until the first frosts. 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. Raise the basket on bricks when the plant is young, gradually lowering them as the plant matures, so that the leaves float on the surface.
the-boot-puller
the-boot-puller £19.99
No need to get your hands dirty when trying to get your muddy boots off, this boot jack is easy to use and will simply pull them off for you. Simply tread on one end of the jack and then place the heel of your boot into the U-shaped end and when it is wedged in, pull your foot out of the boot. It is made of solid metal with a rusted finish and the design has been reproduced from an old model.Measures: 8 x 40 x 10cm
brandy bottle
brandy bottle £12.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeDepth of water: 60-200cm (2-6ft)Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to AugustHardiness: fully hardyFrom June to August, bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers on stiff stems above leathery, deep green, floating leaves similar to those of a water lily. The flowers of this vigorous, deep water aquatic plant smell strongly of alcohol – hence its intriguing common name. It copes well in sun or partial shade, but needs space to spread out, making it ideal for a large pond or lake. Garden care: Divide large clumps in late spring or summer using aquatic baskets and aquatic compost.
hellebore
hellebore £10.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: February to April Flower colour: double purpleOther features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardyGorgeous, pendent or outward-facing, saucer-shaped deep purple, double flowers from February to April above leathery, deep green leaves. This lenten rose creates a stunning ground cover for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs. Like all hellebores, they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil.A top tip from the Crocus crew is to cut back the old leaves down to the ground in January or February. This will show off the new emerging flowers to best effect and it also helps to get rid of foliar diseases such as Hellebore leaf spot.Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.
hellebore
hellebore £9.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: February to April Flower colour: yellowOther features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardy (borderline)Pretty, pendent or outward-facing, saucer-shaped, yellow flowers from February to April and leathery, deep green leaves. This is an attractive variety which is perfect as a ground cover for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs. Like all hellebores, they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil.A top tip from the Crocus crew is to cut back the old leaves down to the ground in January or February. This will show off the new emerging flowers to best effect and it also helps to get rid of foliar diseases such as Hellebore leaf spot.Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.
hellebore
hellebore £9.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: neutral to alkaline soil, including heavy soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: February to AprilOther features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritation; dark greyish-green leaves give off an unpleasant odour when crushedHardiness: fully hardyA stunning variety with large, saucer-shaped flowers from dark purple to almost blue-black from late winter to early spring. The handsome evergreen foliage is leathery, deeply cut and dark green. This lenten rose is grown from seed, so colour variations may occur. It is best planted in groups at the front of a partially shady mixed border, or near the house, among narcissi or snowdrops, that will set off the dark tones of the flowers. In former times, hellebores were planted close to cottage doors to prevent evil spirits from crossing the threshold.Garden care: A top tip from the Crocus crew is to cut back the old leaves down to the ground in January or February. This will show off the emerging flowers to best effect and it also helps to get rid of foliar diseases such as hellebore leaf spot. Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3 in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.