Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

New products at Crocus

by Sarah - February 9th, 2014.
Filed under: Crocus, New Products.

New items at Crocus

mixed Narcissus for naturalising (mixed daffodil collection bulbs)

mixed Narcissus for naturalising (mixed daffodil collection bulbs) £44.99
This bag is sold by weight but may contain approx 350 bulbs (this is a guide only as it is dependant on the bulb size ) Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: March and April Flower colour: shades of golden-yellow and pure white Other features: strap-shaped, dark green leaves; excellent as cut-flowers; contact with the sap may cause skin irritation Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb Size: 12/14 Splendid, single and bi-coloured flowers in shades of golden-yellow and pure white in March and April. This collection of top-quality daffodils and narcissi is ideal for naturalising in a sunny, well-drained border or lawn. To guarantee a colourful display and a supply of excellent cut-flowers plant 10-15cm (4-6in) deep in late summer or early autumn. 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.

Agapanthus africanus 'Albus' (African lily)

Agapanthus africanus ‘Albus’ (African lily) £24.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil (or John Innes no 3 compost for containers) Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Hardiness: half hardy (will need protection in winter) A wonderful white form of African lily, with globes of trumpet-shaped flowers from July to September. This bold perennial provides a perfect focal point for a sunny, well-drained border or in a patio container. Where temperatures fall below zero, container-grown specimens should be overwintered in a frost-free place. Garden care: Keep well-watered during the growing season, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser each month from spring until the plant flowers. Overwinter container-grown specimens in a cool greenhouse or conservatory, watering sparingly.

Callistemon citrnus 'Splendens' (bottlebrush mini half standard)

Callistemon citrnus ‘Splendens’ (bottlebrush mini half standard) £24.99
Position: full sun Soil: moist, well-drained, neutral to acid soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April to August Flowers: red Hardiness: half hardy (will need winter protection) Splendid crimson-red flowerspikes are borne in profusion, putting on an impressive display in spring and summer. An eye-catching specimen for a sunny shrub border, the new foliage emerges with a pinkish-red flush, but turn dark green with age. In frost prone areas it’s best to grow them in a container so it can be overwintered in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. The leaves will release a delicious lemon scent when crushed. Garden care: Tip prune young plants to encourage bushy growth. Established plants should be pruned in stages over two or three summers, cutting back older wood to younger, outward-facing shoots immediately after flowering.

Myrtus communis (myrtle (mini half standard))

Myrtus communis (myrtle (mini half standard)) £24.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to August Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas) In mid to late summer, this bushy, evergreen shrub is festooned with fragrant, white, fluffy flowers, followed by round, purple-black berries. But it is an asset to the garden all year round, with glossy, pointed leaves that give off a fragrant aroma when crushed and provide a handsome backdrop for other flowering plants. A useful and pretty shrub for a sunny border or for growing against a south or west-facing wall. Garden care : Protect from cold, drying winds. Apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in early spring. Remove any unwanted growth in late spring.

Sarcococca 'Winter Gem' (PBR) (sweet box)

Sarcococca ‘Winter Gem’ (PBR) (sweet box) £17.99
Position: partial shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: late winter and early spring Flower colour: white Other features: the flowers are followed by spherical, glossy, red berries that ripen to black Hardiness: hardy Garden care: If necessary after flowering lightly trim or prune back shoots that spoil the plant’s symmetry. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant.

Acca sellowiana (pineapple guava (syn. Feijoa))

Acca sellowiana (pineapple guava (syn. Feijoa)) £14.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, well-drained soil (or a loam-base potting compost such as John Innes no. 3 for container-grown specimens) Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July Flower colour: purple-red Other features: in warm areas the flowers are followed by edible red-tinged green fruit Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection) An exotic-looking evergreen shrub producing attractive, purple- red flowers with long, red stamens in mid-summer and grey- green leaves, white-woolly beneath. This pineapple guava copes well with drought and salt-laden air making it a valuable specimen or hedging plant for a sheltered, sunny, coastal garden. In areas where temperatures fall below 5°C to guarantee a crop of edible fruit it’s best grown under glass in a cool greenhouse. Garden care: During the growing season water container-grown specimens regularly, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser every 4 weeks. Water sparingly in winter.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Wim's Red' (PBR) (hydrangea)

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Wim’s Red’ (PBR) (hydrangea) £14.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: July – October Other features: the flower-heads make excellent dried flower arrangements Hardiness: fully hardy A new form with strong stems that carry 30cm-long honey-scented flower clusters, which turn from white to pink, then intensify in colour as they mature to a rich wine red. Its long flowering period and chameleon-like tendencies make it a great investment for the shrub border. Garden care:To enhance flowering prune hard in early spring, cutting back the previous season’s shoots to within a few buds of the permanent, woody framework of the plant.

Ilex crenata Dark Green ('Icoprins11') (PBR) (box-leaved holly)

Ilex crenata Dark Green (‘Icoprins11’) (PBR) (box-leaved holly) £12.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May Other features: the berries may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested. Hardiness: fully hardy This bushy evergreen shrub can be tightly clipped into almost any shape, so will make a really viable alternative to box (Buxus). This is particularly useful if you existing box plants have been affected by blight, which has become more widespread over the last few years. This Ilex has small (to 2cm long), slightly glossy green leaves, and may develop rounded black fruits in autumn. Tolerant of shade and urban pollution, this is a tough, long-lived and versatile plant. Garden care: Plants grown as free-standing specimens require minimal pruning – remove diseased or misplaced branches in spring. Trim plants grown as formal hedges in late summer. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant.

Lupinus 'Masterpiece' (PBR) (west country lupin)

Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’ (PBR) (west country lupin) £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June Flower colour: purple Other features: the seeds can cause severe discomfort if ingested Hardiness: fully hardy Stunning purple flowers that are orange flecked appear from early summer. This is a new variety and the fabulous colour looks great planted with blue and pink flowering plants. Great for the middle or back of a garden border, or can be planted up for pots on the patio. Remember to deadhead after flowering and protect against frost-damage by covering the crown of the plant. Garden care: Stake with bamboo canes in spring before the flowers appear and deadhead the faded blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers. Protect young plants from slug and snail attack.

Iris 'Gordon' (Reticulata) (iris bulbs)

Iris ‘Gordon’ (Reticulata) (iris bulbs) £0.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: February to March Flower colour: purple-blue, yellow and white Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 5/- Slender, sky-blue standards, which have a darker blue flush, are held above the generously patterned, purple-blue, white and orange falls. A tough and reliable cultivar that mixes easily with crocus and primroses. Garden care: Plant bulbs 5cm deep and 5 – 10cm apart in the autumn, in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Water moderately while they are actively growing and keep reasonably dry during their dormant period.