New products at Crocus
by Sarah - September 7th, 2013.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
Crocus has these new lines today
Paeonia rockii ‘Xue Lian’ (tree peony / tree paeony (syn Snowy Lotus)) £39.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April to May Flower colour: white flushed with pale pink Other features: bright green leaves Hardiness: fully hardy Until recently, this beautiful cultivar was rarely seen as it was considered too difficult to propagate, but fortunately things have moved on and it is now more widely available. It is a beautiful form, with large, single white flowers that are often flushed with pink, and each petal has a purple stain at their base. The grey-green dissected foliage of this deciduous shrub is dramatic enough to provide architectural interest towards the back of a mixed border even after the flowers have faded. Garden care: Protect from cold winds and early morning sun. Support the branches of young shrubs with canes to prevent the massive flowerheads from being battered by rain. Tree peonies are hungry feeders, so ensure that container-grown specimens receive a top-dressing of a slow-release fertiliser in spring. In the border apply a top-dressing of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant in early spring and mulch with well-rotted garden compost or manure. The older stems of tree peonies have a tendency to become brittle and snap, so cut these back to the ground in autumn every two or three years.
Cornus ‘Norman Haddon’ (Dogwood) £19.49
Broadly conical tree with flaking bark and showy white bracts
Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ (salvia) £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile soil Rate of Growth: average Flowering period: June to September Flowers: pinky- purple Other Features: flowers attract bees Hardiness: fully hardy This is a clump-forming perennial, which is mainly grown for the rose-lavender flowers which appear in summer. These flowers are held on upright spikes above the rosettes of dark green leaves and act as a magnet for bees. It provides great groundcover which is ideal for filling gaps at the front of the border. Garden care: Removing the spent flowers will encourage more to form and a light trim after flowering will help keep the plant tidy. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring.
Tulipa ‘Vivienne Westwood’ (tulip bulbs) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April to May Flower colour: bright orange with a red flare Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 11/12 A new tulip, which produces the most dazzling orange flowers with a red flare in mid-spring. It makes a superb addition to the bedding scheme, particularly when planted with oranges, yellows and purples. The flowers last well after being cut and the tall stems are robust enough to hold up in poor weather conditions. Garden care: In September to December plant bulbs 15-20cm deep and 10-15cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Alternatively, allow 7-9 bulbs per 30cm sq. After flowering dead-head and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each week for the first month. Once the foliage has died down naturally lift the bulbs and store in a cool greenhouse.
garlic ‘Marco’ (garlic) £1.99
Position: full sun Soil: any soil Rate of growth: average Hardiness: fully hardy This garlic is known for its strong, distinctive flavour, and fine, white skin, so it is a good option if you want your cooking full of zing. It can be stored for some months if kept cool and dry, and if planted in March the cloves should be ready for harvesting in August. Garden care: Plant from March in soil that hasn’t been freshly manured. Space the cloves 18cm (7in) apart or 10cm (4in) apart in rows 30cm (12in) apart. Uproot as soon as the leaves start to turn yellow, and dry the bulbs before use.