Garden And Gardener

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New products at Crocus

by Sarah - January 30th, 2014.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

New products added today at Crocus

Helenium 'Waltraut' (sneezeweed ( syn Waldtraut ))

Helenium ‘Waltraut’ (sneezeweed ( syn Waldtraut )) £8.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August and September Hardiness: fully hardy Sprays of bronze-orange daisy-like flowers up to 8cm (3in) across splashed with yellow and with prominent, disk-like centres appear from August to September. This robust, upright perennial looks wonderful planted in bold drif ts in a sunny moist but well-drained spot. Providing a splash of colour when ma ny other perennials are starting to fade, it makes a wonderful companion for orn amental grasses and yellow, white or earth-toned flowers. Bees and butterflies love it and it makes an excellent cut flower, too. Garden care: Heleniums are versatile plants that love plenty of sunsh ine and moist soil. They rarely suffer from pests or diseases, however young pl ants do need to be protected from slug attack. Tall varieties need to be staked . To encourage the plant to repeat flower deadhead back to side shoots that hav e flower buds emerging. Cut back by half after flowering to help prevent mildew . Cut down to the ground in late winter. Every two or three years divide the plants in spring to keep them in top condition. When replanting add loads of well-rotted organic matter to the soil to feed them and keep them moist.

Thalictrum 'Black Stockings' (meadow rue)

Thalictrum ‘Black Stockings’ (meadow rue) £7.99
Position: full sun or lightly dappled shade Soil: fertile, moist soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to July Hardiness: fully hardy A new variety of popular meadow rue, this has lavender-purple flowers held high on striking, jet-black stems. Each small flower is made up of tiny strands, like downy thistles, giving the plant a hazy, fluffy effect. The foliage is pretty, too, scalloped and lacy looking. This willowy, tall perennial makes a striking feature towards the back of a partially shady border, or as a contrast to larger-leaved plants. It looks at home and happy as part of a cottage-garden scheme, but it associates well with grasses, too. Garden care: May need supporting with brushwood or garden canes. Divide congested plants as new growth begins in spring, although divisions may be slow to re-establish. In autumn cut back flower stems to the ground.

Kniphofia 'Alcazar' (red hot poker)

Kniphofia ‘Alcazar’ (red hot poker) £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to September Flower colour: orange-yellow Other features: the flowers are attractive to bees Hardiness: fully hardy Orange-red buds crowd the upright flower spikes and open from the base upwards from early summer to early autumn. The flowers are an orange-yellow, so create a distinctive two-tone effect on the spike. Best planted in humus-rich, moist, but well-drained soil, they’re perfect for a sunny mixed or herbaceous border. Garden care: In autumn remove and compost the faded, flower spikes and apply a deep, dry mulch around the crown of the plant. Divide Divide and re-plant overcrowded colonies in spring.

Geranium psilostemon (psilostemon)

Geranium psilostemon (psilostemon) £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained Rate of growth: fast growing Flowering period: June to August Flowers: magenta Hardiness: fully hardy This vigorous Armenian cranesbill produces a mass of shallow cup-shaped, vivid magenta flowers with black centres and veins from early to late summer. It quickly forms loose hummocks of deeply cut, mid-green leaves, which turn a fabulous shade of red in autumn. An excellent plant for the middle of the border. Garden care: In midsummer rejuvenate plants that are beginning to look jaded, by removing old flowered stems and leaves. Lift and divide large colonies in spring.

Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty' (sneezeweed)

Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ (sneezeweed) £5.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Hardiness: fully hardy Held on wiry stems above the foliage, long-lasting, strongly-reflexed, daisy-like flowerheads appear in summer, in shades of rich orange and red with a prominent brown centre. Garden care: Heleniums are versatile plants that love plenty of sunsh sunshine and moist soil. They rarely suffer from pests or diseases, however young plants do need to be protected from slug attack. Tall varieties need to be staked. To encourage the plant to repeat flower deadhead back to side shoots that have flower buds emerging. Cut back by half after flowering to help prevent mildew. Cut down to the ground in late winter. Every two or three years divide the plants in spring to keep them in top condition. When replanting add loads of well-rotted organic matter to the soil to feed them and keep them moist.