Garden And Gardener

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Price reductions at Crocus

by Sarah - October 15th, 2013.
Filed under: Crocus, Price Reductions.

Crocus reduced the price on these items today

Tulipa 'Couleur Cardinal' (triumph tulip bulbs)

Tulipa ‘Couleur Cardinal’ (triumph tulip bulbs) was £2.99 now £1.49
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April Flower colour: scarlet and plum Other features: excellent cut-flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 11/12 Deep scarlet flowers with plum shades on the outside emerge on this single, early tulip in late spring. The colour is rich and warm so it combines well with pink and apricot tones. This tulip was first introduced in 1845 and it is still a very popular variety. 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.

Fritillaria meleagris (snake's head fritillary bulbs)

Fritillaria meleagris (snake’s head fritillary bulbs) was £2.49 now £1.49
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April and May Flower colour: purple and white Other features: narrow, grey-green leaves Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 5/6 Pretty, pendent, white and pinkish-purple bells with distinctive checkerboard markings on slender stems in April and May. These delightful snake’s head fritillaries are perfect for naturalising in a moist woodland edge or wildflower garden. It’s essential to select a site where the soil remains moist in summer. Garden care: Plant 12cm (5in) deep from September to November in fertile, well-drained soil, taking care not to damage the fragile bulbs.

Narcissus 'Topolino' (trumpet daffodil bulbs)

Narcissus ‘Topolino’ (trumpet daffodil bulbs) was £1.89 now £1.49
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: February to March Flower colour: creamy white with a yellow cup Other features: fragrant flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 10/12 Lemon-yellow coronas, each with a ruffled edge, are surrounded by pointed, creamy-white perianth segments. Blooming in early-spring, this heirloom trumpet daffodil is noted for its sturdy habit. An excellent addition to cut flower arrangements. First introduced in 1923, this very pretty heirloom daffodil is a recipient of the AGM. Garden care: Plant 10-15cm (4-6in) deep from late summer to early autumn. After flowering feed with a balanced fertiliser, dead-head and allow the leaves to die back naturally.

Narcissus 'Minnow' (tazetta daffodil bulbs)

Narcissus ‘Minnow’ (tazetta daffodil bulbs) was £3.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April Flower colour: pale yellow Other features: excellent as cut-flowers; contact with the sap may cause skin irritation Hardiness: hardy Bulb size: 12+ Clusters of up to five pale yellow flowers, which fade to a delicious cream as they mature, appear on each stem in mid-spring. They will quickly spread to form good-sized clumps, so they are ideal for planting beneath deciduous trees or shrubs, where they will put on a wonderful, early show. Garden care: Wearing gloves plant bulbs 10-15cm deep and 10cm apart in autumn. After flowering feed with a balanced fertiliser, dead-head the flowers, but do not be tempted to cut back or tidy the foliage after flowering as this will interfere with the bulbs ability to store energy for the following year’s flowers.

Muscari latifolium (grape hyacinth bulbs)

Muscari latifolium (grape hyacinth bulbs) was £3.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun or light shade Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil (for container-grown bulbs use two parts John Innes No2 compost to one part sharp grit) Rate of growth: average Flowering period: March Flower colour: dark blue topped with paler blue flowers Other features: can be brought indoors for short periods when in flower Hardiness: frost hardy Bulb size: 6/7 This is such a great little plant that in summer 2005 it was voted as the International Flower Bulb Centre’s official bulb of the year. The bottom two thirds of the flowers are coloured a very dark blue and appear near black in certain lights. Each spike is topped by a tuft of striking bright blue flowers giving it a two-tone effect. Its leaves are broader and flatter than most other grape hyacinths and they tend to wrap themselves around the stem of each flower rather than just jut up. It is a small plant that packs a big punch when planted in big, naturalistic drifts. Mix it with other spring flowers in an orchard or meadow – try planting it with the hoop petticoat daffodil for great colour contrast. Alternatively cram loads into a pot and place it on a sunny patio. Garden care: Plant 10cm (4in) deep in naturalistic groups in autumn. During summer when the bulbs are dormant lift and divide groups that are becoming congested.

Lilium 'Black Beauty' (lily bulb)

Lilium ‘Black Beauty’ (lily bulb) was £3.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or a loam-based potting compost, such as John Innes no2 Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 16/18 Stunning sprays of scented, turkscap, blackish-red flowers with green centres and white margins appear in midsummer. The flowers make a fabulous display at the back of the border, or grouped in a container. This great summer-flowering bulb is universally loved because of its showy flowers that light up the garden, but like all lilies, is susceptible to lily beetle. Garden care: Lilies can be planted at any time from early autumn, to mid-spring. Planting in autumn often helps them settle in and become better established before they start to put on their new spring growth, but spring planting is a better option if your soil is heavy and wet during winter. Choose a sunny spot, preferably where the plant receives a little light shade at its base, and plant each bulb 15-20cm (6-8in) deep in a well-drained soil, enriched with well-rotted organic matter or leaf mould. Space them at approximately 30cm (12″) intervals and provide support before the flowers appear. Deadhead the faded blooms promptly and cut the dead stems back to ground level at the end of autumn.

Ranunculus 'Paeony mixed' (ranunculus bulbs)

Ranunculus ‘Paeony mixed’ (ranunculus bulbs) was £3.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist but freely draining Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: May to June Flowering colour: mixed Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 7/8 Great dollops of colour top the upright stems of this fantastic collection of ranunculus from early summer. They come in lots of vibrant shades including red, pink, yellow, orange and white, so add lashings of colour to the bedding scheme. They also look smart in pots. Garden care: Plant the tallon-like corms in autumn or spring 8cm deep and a similar distance apart with their ‘fingers’ facing downwards.

Gladiolus italicus (gladiolus bulbs)

Gladiolus italicus (gladiolus bulbs) was £3.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun Soil: moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to June Hardiness: hardy (borderline) Bulb size: 8/10 An unusual, late-spring flowering bulb which produces spikes of up to 20 funnel-shaped, magenta flowers. It looks stunning planted in groups among shrubs, where it will spread freely, or for providing vivid vertical accents among silver-leaved plants. The exotic-looking flowers also make lovely cut flowers. Garden care: Plant corms 10-16cm (4-6in) deep in autumn, on a bed of sharp sand to aid drainage.

Narcissus 'Carlton' (large cupped daffodil bulbs)

Narcissus ‘Carlton’ (large cupped daffodil bulbs) was £3.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April Flower colour: yellow Other features: excellent as cut-flowers; contact with the sap may cause skin irritation Hardiness: fully hardy If you love the big, blousy, traditional daffodils, then you are going to want to include some of these in your garden. This variety is grown extensively for the cut flower trade as their blooms are so robust and long lived. It has been around for nearly one hundred years, is one of the first daffs into flower, and as it is so vigorous it is perfect for naturalising. It is such a fabulous plant it has deservedly been given the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the RHS. Garden care: Plant 10-15cm (4-6in) deep from late summer to early autumn. After flowering feed with a balanced fertiliser, dead-head and allow the leaves to die back naturally.