New products at Crocus
by Sarah - March 31st, 2014.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
Crocus just added these new lines
Paeonia ‘Claire de Lune’ (paeony / peony) £34.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to June Hardiness: fully hardy Prized for their blowsy, glamorous blooms and glossy, deeply cut foliage, peonies are held in deep affection by many gardeners, despite their short flowering season and vulnerability to peony wilt in damp weather. It’s easy to see why. From the promise of early spring, when their red, mottled shoots push through bare earth and the handsome foliage unfurls, to early summer, when the huge flowers burst open from spherical red buds, peonies exert a fascination that few can resist. ‘Claire de Lune’ is a variety, with stunning, large, single, fragrant, pale lemon-yellow flowers with deeper yellow, fluffy centres from late spring to early summer. It flowers best in full sun. Fill the bare ground around the peony with spring bulbs to prolong the season of interest. Garden care: Deadhead after flowering. In early spring apply a top-dressing of a balanced slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant and mulch well with well rotted garden compost or manure. If the plant shows signs of collapse or the leaves become spotty, this may be a symptom of peony botrytis. Remove affected leaves immediately. In autumn, cut off all foliage and dispose of it to prevent reinfection the following spring.
Syringa vulgaris ‘Michael Buchner’ (Lilac) £29.99
Large clusters of fragrant, double, rose lilac flowers with white centres in May and June and heart shaped, dark green leaves. This attractive, spreading shrub or small tree makes an excellent backdrop for a sunny border. Coping well with alkaline soils while young it requires minimal pruning, except to remove unproductive or diseased wood. Position: full sun Soil: fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil Rate of Growth: average Flowering period: May and June Flowers: rose lilac Other features: heart shaped, dark green leaves Hardiness: fully hardy Garden care: In mid summer remove the faded flower heads carefully using secateurs to avoid damaging the young shoots. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in early spring. Goes well with: Myrtus communis, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Dutch Group’, Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessop’s Upright’, Petrovskia atriplicifolia, Iris reticulata, Clematis viticella ‘Purpurea Plena Elegans’.
Iris ‘Cable Car’ (iris) £9.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to acidic soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to June Hardiness: fully hardy Glowing, large honey brown blooms with an orange beard are held on tall, stiff stems and are produced from early to midsummer. This variety looks lovely planted in bold drifts in a sunny, well-drained border. They don’t like to be shaded as they like their rhizomes to be baked by the sun. Like all irises, it is worth preparing the soil before planting by adding plenty of well rotted manure or good garden compost to provide nitrogen and other nutrients. Garden care: Plant shallowly with the upper part of the rhizome sitting on the surface of the soil, incorporating a low nitrogen fertiliser in the planting hole. After planting remove the upper-most third of the leaves to minimise the incidence of wind-rock. In exposed areas stake with bamboo canes in early spring.
Magnolia stellata ‘Waterlily’ (Magnolia) £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: any moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: March to April Hardiness: fully hardy Before the leaves appear in early spring, pure white, spider-like flowers emerge in profusion from velvety buds. Each scented flower can grow up to 12cm in diameter, so when in full flower, it makes quite an impact. Its compact habit and ability to flower when still quite young, makes this deciduous shrub a highly decorative addition to the garden. Garden care: Plant in a sheltered spot, away from strong winds. Requires minimal pruning. Remove any broken, diseased or crossing branches in midsummer. Plant in a sheltered spot, adding plenty of peat to the planting hole. Mulch in spring with manure and leaf mould, especially on dry soils.
Quick and easy obelisk £6.99
This quick and easy obelisk is easy to assemble and is also easy to adjust according to the planting requirements as it comes complete with moving support brackets which will adjust the diameter of the base to the required size. Ideal for runner beans and other climbers. Made from durable plastic covered steel. Measurements: Small: 1.5m tall Medium: 2m tall Large: 2.2m tall
Lupinus ‘Gallery Blue’ (lupin) £5.99
Compact spires of beautiful, blue, pea-like flowers from June to July above dense clumps of mid-green leaves. This dwarf variety of lupin looks gorgeous towards the front of a well-drained, cottage garden border. Remember to deadhead after flowering and protect against frost-damage by covering the crown of the plant. Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained, slightly acid, sandy soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to July and September Flower colour: blue Other features: the seeds can cause severe discomfort if ingested Hardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Stake with bamboo canes in spring before the flowers appear and deadhead the faded blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers.
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (golden hakonechloa) £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August to October Hardiness: fully hardy An eye-catching small ornamental grass, which forms cascading hummocks of vividl y striped bright yellow and green striped foliage. The narrow leaves keep their colour throughout the season, and often when the plant is grown in full sun it develops a reddish tinge. In late summer and autumn, pale green, slender, flower spikelets appear, giving a billowing lightness to planted drifts. It is us eful as a simple understorey to light shrubs and as a soft edging to paths or st eps. The clean, minimalist style of this grass makes it a good choice for forma l courtyards or in minimalist urban planters. Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost into the planting hole. Leave flower heads to dry out through the winter, adding valuab le texture to plantings. Apply a light mulch (3cm) of well-rotted garden compos t after cutting back old foliage and before new growth emerges in spring.