Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

Price reductions at Crocus

by Sarah - November 24th, 2013.
Filed under: Crocus, Price Reductions.

Crocus has cut the price of these items

Eremurus stenophyllus (foxtail lily bulbs)

Eremurus stenophyllus (foxtail lily bulbs) was £1.99 now £1.49
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, sandy, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June and July Flower colour: dark yellow Other features: strap shaped, bluish green leaves Hardiness: fully hardy Soaring, slender spikes of dark yellow flowers in early and midsummer rising above strap shaped, bluish-green leaves. This spectacular foxtail lily is perfect for creating a bold statement in a sunny, well-drained border. The yellow flowers open from the base of the spike and darken as they age, creating a two-tone effect. It’s best partnered with other late spring flowering perennials and tall grasses which help to mask the plant’s short lived foliage. Foxtail lilies need to be planted in fertile but well-drained soil with the crown not far below soil level. They start to grow in late winter and spring, gathering their strength before they produce their towering flower spikes in summer. Each flower spike has hundreds of flowers which open from the bottom upwards, creating a stunning effect. They thrive in the sunniest spot in the garden, especially if the base of the plant isn’t shaded as this can decrease the number of flowering spikes produced. Garden care: In September every three to five years carefully lift and divide congested clumps. Replant the strongest crown on a layer of sharp grit, spreading out the roots and covering them with a thin (5cm/2in) layer of soil. In frost-prone areas cover with a dry mulch of fern leaves.

Allium sphaerocephalon (round-headed leek bulbs)

Allium sphaerocephalon (round-headed leek bulbs) was £1.99 now £1.49
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to August Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 5/- Small, egg-shaped, claret-coloured flowerheads appear like drumsticks on tall, slender stems above strap-like, mid-green leaves in mid to late summer. Pla nted en masse in a border in full sun, these diminutive claret flowers look grea t emerging from a screen of foliage, or against a backdrop of ornamental grasses. They gently fade as summer comes to a close. Garden care: For best effect plant the bulbs 8cm deep in natural drifts. Avoid soils that are too wet, and split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Lilium regale (lily bulb)

Lilium regale (lily bulb) was £1.99 now £1.79
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained, including chalk, enriched with leaf mould or a loam-based potting compost such as John Innes no. 2 Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb Size: 20/22 One of the most popular varieties of lily, and its not hard to see why. The hug e trumpet-shaped white flowers are flushed with pink, smell divine and provide great wafts of scent throughout the garden when they are open. Alternatively bring them inside as cut flowers and they will fill your home with their heady perfume. Lilies are one of the all time favourite summer-flowering bulbs as th ey will look superb in any garden scheme. Be warned, lilies are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, including lily beetle, and as such can be high maintenance and may need replacing regularly. 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.

Iris 'Silvery Beauty' (Dutch iris bulbs)

Iris ‘Silvery Beauty’ (Dutch iris bulbs) was £1.99 now £1.79
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral or alkaline soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April to June Other features: all parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested; contact with the sap may irritate the skin Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb Size: 6/7 Ice white falls, each with a flash of yellow at their base, are topped with soft violet-blue standards, creating a cool-toned flower that mixes easily with most shades of purple and pink. It looks wonderful when planted in big drifts through the border, or when allowed to form larger clumps in naturalised planting schemes. The flowers will last well after being cut too. Garden care: Plant 10cm deep and 10cm apart in naturalistic drifts in September or October in a well-drained, sunny site.

Allium stipitatum 'Violet Beauty' (allium bulbs)

Allium stipitatum ‘Violet Beauty’ (allium bulbs) was £2.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size:10/12 Elegant, slender stems are topped with somewhat flat-bottomed, dome-shaped clusters of violet flowers, which mix easily with most shades of blue and purple. Garden care: Plant bulbs 15cm deep and 15cm apart to enjoy the full effect of the flowers. Avoid excessive soil moisture, and split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Narcissus 'Yellow Cheerfulness' (double daffodil bulbs)

Narcissus ‘Yellow Cheerfulness’ (double daffodil bulbs) was £2.49 now £1.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: March and April Flower colour: golden-yellow Other features: excellent cut-flowers; contact with the sap may cause skin irritation Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 12/14 Stems of up to four fragrant, double, golden-yellow flowers in March and April and narrow, strap-shaped leaves. These double narcissus look great in small drifts in a mixed or shrub border. Planted 10-15cm (4-6in) deep in early autumn they flower best in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil that remains moist during winter and spring. Garden care: Wearing gloves plant bulbs 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.

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Sky Jacket' (garden hyacinth bulbs)

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Sky Jacket’ (garden hyacinth bulbs) was £3.99 now £2.49
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: any well-drained, moderately fertile soil (for container-grown bulbs use two parts John Innes No2 compost to one part sharp grit) Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April and May Flower colour: pale blue Other features: all parts of the plant may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested; contact with the bulbs may cause skin irritation Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 16/17 The soft pastel shade of the flowers will blend well with soft pinks and white, as well as offering a calming tone to richer purples and plums. They smell divine and make excellent cut flowers. Garden care: Pot up and bring indoors if you want them to flower in January, otherwise plant 15cm deep and 10cm apart in a bright spot. For safety reasons always use gloves when handling these bulbs.

Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen' (Turkestan onion bulbs)

Allium karataviense ‘Ivory Queen’ (Turkestan onion bulbs) was £2.99 now £2.49
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Hardiness: fully hardyAn unusual, low-growing ornamental onion, th is produces globes of star-shaped, white summer flowers cradled between tw o broad, grey-green, fleshy leaves. Despite its short stems, the flowerheads can reach the size of an orange. Its eyecatching used at the edge of a sunny border or gravel garden. Its also excellent used in dried flower arrangements. Garden care: Split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Eremurus x isabellinus 'Cleopatra' (foxtail lily bulbs)

Eremurus x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’ (foxtail lily bulbs) was £3.99 now £2.99
Position:full sun Soil:fertile, sandy, well-drained soil, including alkaline soil Rate of growth: fast Flowering period: June and July Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: grade one (ie. the largest) Stately, slender spikes packed with burnt orange flowers soar above strap shape shape, bluish-green leaves in early and mid summer. This spectacular foxtail lily makes a bold statement towards the back of a sunny, well-drained border. It’s best partnered with late-flowering perennials and tall grasses which help to mask the plant’s short lived foliage. Foxtail lilies need to be planted in fertile but well-drained soil with the crown not far below soil level. They start to grow in late winter and spring, gathering their strength before they produce their towering flower spikes in summer. Each flower spike has hundres of flowers which open from the bottom upwards, creating a stunning effect. They thrive in the sunniest spot in the garden, especially if the base of the plant isn’t shaded as this can decrease the number of flowering spikes produced. Garden care: In September every three to five years carefully lift and divide congested clumps. Replant the strongest crown on a layer of sharp grit, spreading out the roots and covering them with a thin (5cm/2in) layer of soil. In frost-prone areas cover with a dry mulch of fern leaves.