Garden And Gardener

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Price reductions at Crocus

by Sarah - July 11th, 2014.
Filed under: Crocus, Price Reductions.

Crocus has cut the price of these items

Anemone coronaria (De Caen Group) 'Hollandia' (windflower bulbs)

Anemone coronaria (De Caen Group) ‘Hollandia’ (windflower bulbs) was £2.49 now £1.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, sandy soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: March to April Flower colour: red and white with a black eye Other features: useful as cut flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 5/6 A low growing tuberous perennial, which is much-loved for its large, black-eyed, red flowers, which appear in spring over mounds of finely dissected foliage. The velvet-like petals form large open bowls, and gradually open out even further before they fall to create saucer-like plates. They make charming cut flowers and look lovely at the front of a sunny border. Garden care: Soak the tubers overnight in cool water and plant them in naturalistic drifts (it doesn’t matter which way up) 5cm deep and 15cm apart from September to November. Ideally you should choose a spot where they can be left undisturbed so they can naturalise and spread. Avoid excessively wet conditions when dormant.

Anemone coronaria 'Mr Fokker' (anemone bulbs)

Anemone coronaria ‘Mr Fokker’ (anemone bulbs) was £3.99 now £2.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, sandy soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: March to April Flower colour: violet-blue useful as cut flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 5/6 A low growing tuberous perennial, which is much-loved for its large, black-eyed, violet-blue flowers, which appear in spring over mounds of finely dissected foliage. The velvet-like petals form large open bowls, and gradually open out even further before they fall to create saucer-like plates. They make charming cut flowers and look lovely at the front of a sunny border. Garden care: Plant pre-soaked tubers 5-8cm (2-3in) deep and 15cm apart in September or October in light, sandy soil in a sunny, protected site. Cover with a cloche or dry mulch to protect against extreme winter weather.

Anemone coronaria 'Sylphide' (Mona Lisa Series) (anemone bulbs)

Anemone coronaria ‘Sylphide’ (Mona Lisa Series) (anemone bulbs) was £3.99 now £2.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, sandy soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: March to April Flower colour: magenta pink Other features: useful as cut flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 5/6 Exquisite bowl-shaped flowers form just above the low carpet of parsley-like folige in early spring. The petals are an irridescent shade of pink and they surround boss of rich purple stamens – overall a very pretty effect. Use them with taller-stemmed tulips, which can soar above. Garden care: Soak the tubers overnight in cool water and plant them in naturalistic drifts (it doesn’t matter which way up) 5cm deep and 15cm apart from September to November. Ideally you should choose a spot where they can be left undisturbed so they can naturalise and spread. Avoid excessively wet conditions when dormant.

Crocosmia 'Lucifer' (montbretia)

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (montbretia) was £7.99 now £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: August and September Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas) Arching sprays of bold, tomato-red, funnel-shaped flowers appear in August and September among handsome, pleated, mid-green leaves. This vibrant bulbous perennial is perfect for a mixed or herbaceous border in a sunny, sheltered site or as part of a ‘hot’ colour scheme. For maximum impact plant in bold drifts in a sunny, sheltered site with moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. They make excellenllent cut-flowers. Garden care: Resist removing the faded foliage in autumn and cover the crown of the plant with bracken or bark chips to protect the plant against frost damage. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring, planting the divided sections 8-10cm (3-4in) deep.

Sedum telephium (Atropurpureum Group) 'Purple Emperor' (stonecrop)

Sedum telephium (Atropurpureum Group) ‘Purple Emperor’ (stonecrop) was £7.99 now £5.99
Position: full sun Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil Rate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: August to October Flower colour: red-purple Other features: attractive to butterflies and bees; the dried flower-heads provide colour and structure in the winter garden Hardiness: fully hardy Dramatic, deep bronze-purple succulent leaves topped with red-purple flower-heads from August to October. In certain light conditions the foliage of this sedum appears almost black. Perfect for use at the front of a sunny, well-drained border or in a large patio pot, the flower-heads are a valuable source of nectar for butterflies and bees. Garden care: The flowerheads look great left during the winter to add shape and texture to your border. In February and March cut back the old flowerheads and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. Once established, sedums can have a tendency to flop leaving an open and unsightly centre, especially in fertile soil. One technique to help prevent this is the ‘Chelsea chop’. During the last week of May (Chelsea Flower Show week), cut one in every three stems back to the ground. This will produce plants that are less lush and flower slightly later.

Agapanthus Headbourne hybrids (African lily)

Agapanthus Headbourne hybrids (African lily) was £9.99 now £6.99
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: borderline hardy (may need protection in winter) Showy globes of trumpet-shaped flowers ranging in colour from deep to pale blue, appear from July to September on straight stems above clumps of strap-shaped, mid-green leaves. Headbourne Hybrids are a particularly fine variety of African lilies, ideal for a sunny well-drained border or a large patio pot. Garden care: Keep well-watered during the growing season, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser each month from spring until the plant flowers. In cold, exposed areas protect the crown of the plant with a deep, dry winter mulch.

Phyllostachys aurea (fishpole bamboo)

Phyllostachys aurea (fishpole bamboo) was £12.99 now £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Leaves: golden-green Canes: grooved, brown-yellow Hardiness: fully hardy The grooved canes of this tall, upright bamboo are initially bright green, but they mature over a year or two to brownish yellow. These stems are clothed throughout the year with golden-green foliage, which not only looks good, but will rustle pleasantly in the breeze. A great specimen plant, it will form a dense clump at first, but eventually becomes spreading and will cover a large area. Garden care: Plant it in a large container or surround the roots with a non-perishable barrier that restricts the plant’s spread if space is limited.

Agapanthus 'White Heaven' (PBR) (African lily)

Agapanthus ‘White Heaven’ (PBR) (African lily) was £12.99 now £9.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil (or John Innes no. 3 compost for containers) Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August to September Hardiness: frost hardy (may need protection in winter) Heaven by name and heavenly by nature, this tall and elegant plant looks incredible when planted in bold swathes through a herbaceous border. Its striking architectural outline also makes it a good plant for potting up and using as a specimen on a sunny patio. The strappy, semi-evergreen foliage and large heads of up to 80 pure white, trumpet-shaped flowers give it a Mediterranean air, and make it a must-have summer plant. Garden care: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser throughout the growing season. Keep reasonably dry during the winter and protect the crowns with a dry mulch in the autumn. Divide plants that have become too big in spring, but remember you will often get more flowers when the roots are constricted.

Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Inaba-shidare' (Japanese maple)

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Inaba-shidare’ (Japanese maple) was £24.99 now £19.99
Position: partial shade or full sun (not south-facing) Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained neutral to acid soil Rate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: April to May Hardiness: fully hardy This popular tree has widely spaced, filigree-like, burgundy leaves that turn brilliant crimson in autumn. It forms an upright, compact, little mound, which makes it a perfect focal point for in a small garden, particularly in a container. Or try it alongside an ornamental pool, where its sculptural shape will be reflected in the water. It needs a sheltered spot, away from strong winds or scorching sun, though its leaf colour is best enjoyed in a sunny position. Garden care: Add a top-dressing of a multi-purpose fertiliser around the base of a newly planted tree in late spring and keep well watered. No routine pruning is required, just remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late autumn or winter when they are fully dormant.