Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - June 23rd, 2010.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

Crocus has these new items today

Russian sage
Russian sage £8.99
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, poor to moderately fertileRate of growth: average Flowering period: August and SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyWith its aromatic leaves and upright spikes of violet-blue flowers, Russian sage makes a wonderful companion to all kinds of late-summer ornamental grasses and perennials. In August and September, tiny, violet-blue, tubular flowers appear on silver-grey spikes above the main framework of the plant, among deeply-cut and lobed, grey-green leaves. This deciduous sub-shrub makes a real impact planted en masse alongside a path, where the sage-like fragrance of its leaves can be appreciated, or try it alongside other silver-leaved plants, or in swathes in a sunny border. One of our recommended plants, it copes well with dry, chalky soil and salt-laden air.Garden care: As this shrub has a tendancy to flop a little, in March cut back to the permanent framework of the shrub to promote bushier growth. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

purple mullein
purple mullein £7.49
Position: full sun, light shadeSoil: well-drained, alkaline soilRate of Growth: averageFlowering period: May to AugustFlowers: purpleOther features: attractive round seed capsules can self-seed freelyHardiness: fully hardyWaving stems carry whorls of tissue thin purple blooms ascending to the finest point. Each flower sports darker centre with golden stamens. Flat rosettes of oval-shaped, deep green leaves form a solid base to the plant. Each flower matures into an attractive pearl-like seed pod, ripening to burgundy black in colour and extending textural interest late into the summer. Shorter than most Verbascums, this one is ideal for a smaller garden.Garden care: Apply a thick 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch round the base of the plant in autumn to protect from winter extremes, taking care not to cover the crown. Stake in spring with bamboo canes or twiggy prunings before the flowers appear. Mullein moth caterpillars can be a problem – pick off the insects in early June as soon as they appear. Remove faded flower spikes.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.
lamb's ears
lamb’s ears £6.49
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile soilRate of Growth: averageFlowering period: June to SeptemberFlowers: purpleOther features: large, greyish-white, felted leavesHardiness: fully hardySoft spikes of woolly, purple flowers from June to September above rosettes of large, greyish white, felted leaves. This form of lambs’ ears is primarily grown for its leaves, which are larger than other varieties. An excellent groundcover plant for sites in full sun, it’s drought tolerant and provides a weed-suppressing carpet for much of the year. Garden care: Pick off and destroy any foliage that becomes infected by powdery mildew and treat the remaining leaves with fungicide. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring.
Australian tobacco plant
Australian tobacco plant £4.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberFlower colour: white with a greenish-purple flushed throatOther Features: contact with the foliage may cause skin irritationHardiness: half hardy annualA graceful plant that will fill the air with sweet perfume, particulaly on balmy evenings. An Australian native, where it is found growing in open woodland and grassy meadows, this cultivar is rarely seen here in the UK. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful addition to the garden, where it will provide clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers throughout the summer. Plant it near an outdoor seating area or entranceway to take full advantage of their fragrance.Garden care: Keep the soil or compost moist by watering regularly during dry spells and feed with a balanced fertiliser every fourteen days. Although usually grown as an annual, plants that are protected with a dry mulch may survive mild winters where temperatures only occasionally fall below -5°C (23°F)
cosmos
cosmos £4.99
Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June to October Flower colour: rich pinkOther features: excellent cut-flowersHardiness: half hardy annualA stunning cosmos with rich, antique-pink flowers, each with a yellow centre, which gracefully top long, slender stems above the lacy green foliage. A must-have for a sunny spot in the summer border because of their abundance of flowers, they also make fine specimens for a container, where they can be moved about to create the best possible effect on the patio. display.Garden care: Stake with ring stakes well before the flowers appear and dead head regularly to prolong flowering.
poppy
poppy £4.99
Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, preferably poor soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Hardiness: hardy annualPerfect for a sunny wildflower garden or meadow, where it will self-seed freely, these field poppies will provide long-lasting summer colour. They appear in an array of pink, white and lilac shades, which all have metallic blue undertones.The flowers appear like luminous butterflies on top of the slender, hairy stems, and long after the last petal has fluttered away on the breeze, the seedheads will continue to add a decorative touch to the border. Garden care: After the flowers have faded, collect the seeds and store in a cool, dry place until spring when they can be sown straight out in the garden.