New products at Crocus
by Sarah - January 9th, 2014.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
New products today at Crocus
Hyacinthoides non-scripta (bluebell – In the Green) £6.99
Position: partial shade Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: April and May Flower colour: Blue Other features: all parts of the plant may irritate skin on contact, and may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 6/7 English bluebells are much loved for their stout spikes of bell-shaped, blue flowers in April and May. They are perfect for naturalising in a partly shaded woodland garden or underneath the canopy of deciduous trees. They quickly spread to form large clumps, so if you want to keep the numbers down in herbaceous or mixed borders, it’s best to remove the faded flowerheads to prevent the plant from becoming invasive. Garden care: Plant in naturalistic drifts 10cm deep and at 10cm intervals. Where bulbs are planted in grass do not cut the grass until after the leaves have died back.
Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite – In The Green) £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline soil Rate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: January and February Flower colour: bright yellow Other features: all parts of the plant may cause mild stomach upset if ingested, and contact with the sap may irritate skin Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 4/5 Carpets of bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers in late January and February surrounded by ruffs of fresh green leaves. Winter aconites originate from damp woodland and shady places in Eurasia so are perfect for naturalising under deciduous shrubs and trees. They are a welcome sight in late winter as they are one of the first things into flower in the garden. Garden care: Plant pots in naturalistic drifts 10cm (4in) on arrival.
Luzula nivea (snowy woodrush) £4.99
Position: partial to full shade Soil: poor to moderately-fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: June to July Hardiness: fully hardy Providing attractive ground cover throughout the year, the slender, hairy leaves form loose clumps, which in midsummer are topped with tall stems carrying elegant clusters of white flowers. It self-seeds freely, so prompt dead-heading will be required if you want to keep the clump small. Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies between April and June. Remove tatty foliage in autumn.
Lavandula pedunculata subsp. pedunculata (butterfly lavender) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June and July Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) From fat round flowerheads, delicate, upright petals emerge like butterfly wings and flutter in the breeze among grey-green, aromatic leaves. This French lavender has pale mauve flowers and looks wonderful planted en masse in a protected, sunny border where its heady fragrance can be enjoyed. Like most French lavenders, it is earlier flowering than its English cousins, but associates well with them if you want to prolong the season of lavender in your garden. The flower-spikes are also a magnet for bees and other nectar-loving insects. As it’s borderline hardy it is best grown in a container in colder areas of the country and should be over-wintered in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. Garden care: Cut back the stalks after the flowers have faded to retain a compact shape. Carefully trim back in April, taking care not to cut into old wood.