Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - August 13th, 2010.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

New items today at Crocus

Clematis (group 1)
Clematis (group 1) £14.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained, neutral soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: December to FebruaryFlower colour: rich claretOther features: evergreenHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)A sport of C. cirrhosa Freckles, which was discovered growing in New Zealand in 1995. This is an early flowering, evergreen climber that can produce its deep claret, bell-shaped flowers with contrasting creamy coloured anthers as early as Christmas – or occasionally even earlier. It is well behaved and compact, so works just as well in large pots as it does in the border, although it may need some protection from the worst of the winter weather in colder parts of the country.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.

dogwood
dogwood £12.99
Position: full sun to part shadeSoil: any moderately fertile, reliably moist soilRate of growth: average to fast growingFlowering Period: May and JuneOther Features: the flowers are followed by white, fruit; the fruits may cause a mild stomach ache if ingestedHardiness: fully hardyFrom late spring clusters of small white flowers appear, followed by white berries. The normally green leaves take on fiery colour in autumn and afterwards the golden yellow, bare stems of this suckering, deciduous shrub provide ornamental interest.Garden care: In March cut the stems back hard to within 5-8cm from the ground and apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted garden compost or horse manure around the base of the plant.
pineapple guava (syn. Feijoa)
pineapple guava (syn. Feijoa) £12.99
Position: full sunSoil: light, well-drained soil (or a loam-base potting compost such as John Innes no. 3 for container-grown specimens)Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July Flower colour: purple-redOther features: in warm areas the flowers are followed by edible red-tinged green fruitHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)An exotic-looking evergreen shrub producing attractive, purple- red flowers with long, red stamens in mid-summer and grey- green leaves, white-woolly beneath. This pineapple guava copes well with drought and salt-laden air making it a valuable specimen or hedging plant for a sheltered, sunny, coastal garden. In areas where temperatures fall below 5°C to guarantee a crop of edible fruit it’s best grown under glass in a cool greenhouse.Garden care: During the growing season water container-grown specimens regularly, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser every 4 weeks. Water sparingly in winter.Goes well with: Melianthus major, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Trachycarpus fortunei, Eucomis bicolor, Cordyline australis ‘Torbay Dazzler’, Verbena bonariensis
Christmas rose
Christmas rose £9.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: February to April Flower colour: whiteOther features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardyGorgeous, double white, bowl-shaped flowers from February to April and clumps of leathery, dark green leaves. This pretty Christmas rose looks great planted in bold groups towards the front of a partially shady mixed border. Although it prefers a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil, once established it will tolerate drier conditions.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 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 hardy (borderline) Nodding or outward-facing, saucer-shaped, flowers open in February in varying shades from deep pink to clear red. The flowers last for up to 3 months and the handsome evergreen foliage is leathery, deeply cut and dark green. One of the earliest flowering plants, lenten roses have most impact planted in groups at the front of a partially shady mixed border where they can be seen through windows in winter. Or try them as ground cover beneath deciduous shrubs or among spring-flowering bulbs. 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 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. When planting, 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.
sevenbark
sevenbark £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyOne of the loveliest hydrangeas, this has huge globes of tightly packed, creamy white bracts that look like giant snowballs in late summer. As autumn progresses, the blowsy flowerheads fade to pale lime and the dark green, pointed leaves turn soft yellow. It has an upright habit and makes a breathtaking feature in a wide, partly shady border, particularly when planted in groups or with other hydrangeas. The flowerheads are a popular choice for dried flower arrangements. Contact with the foliage may aggrevate skin allergies.Garden care: Hydrangeas do not like to dry out. In dry weather, soak the roots with a hose and the plant will usually recover. Remove faded flowerheads in spring after the danger of frosts, cutting back the flowered stems to a strong pair of buds. Take out misplaced or diseased shoots. Mulch young plants with a well-rotted manure or compost in spring. Once established, remove a quarter to a third of the shoots to the base of the plant.
strawberry - late season fruiting
strawberry – late season fruiting £8.99
Position: full sunSoil: any soilRate of growth: fast-growingOther features: ready to pick from mid JulyHardiness: fully hardyBred by the Scottish Crop Research Institute, this variety will produce supermarket quality fruits that keep well. They have a uniform shape, well coloured flesh and a very tasty flavour. The plants are strong growing and have a good resistance to mildew.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 will look dry on delivery, but should put on new growth within a few weeks after planting.
masterwort
masterwort £8.49
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, preferably humus-rich soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: June to AugustHardiness: fully hardySultry, dark red button flowers, surrounded by a ruff of near-black bracts are produced from June to August above deeply lobed, dark green leaves with almost imperceptible black margins. This stunning, dark red astrantia works equally well in contemporary and cottage-style plantings. For best colour, plant it in fertile, moist soil in full sun.Astrantias have been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century and have numerous common names, such as melancholy gentleman, Hatties pincushion and the more well-known masterwort.Garden care: Astrantias do not like dry soil. 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 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they dont like having their roots disturbed.
coneflower
coneflower £6.99
Position: full sunSoil: most soils, except very dry or boggyRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyLarge, deep reddish, daisy-like flowers with prominent dark orange centres are borne on stiff stems from July to September. The petals of this deep purple form of coneflower are more horizontal than the more popular species plant. It copes well with adverse weather conditions, has a long flowering season, and is attractive to bees and butterflies. A great choice for a sunny, well-drained, mixed or new perennial border.Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring. In autumn, cut back all dead flower stems to the ground.