New products at Crocus
by Sarah - November 19th, 2014.Filed under: Crocus, New Products.
New items today at Crocus
Clerodendrum bungei ‘Pink Diamond’ (Glory flower) £14.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August to October Other features: dark-green leaves Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection) This new decorative shrub forms a good-sized mound of fresh green foliage, which has an irregular creamy white margin. It is in late summer however, when the large domed clusters of red buds appear that this plant really starts to shine. The buds open to deep pink star-like flowers, which have a beautifully rich perfume, so if you can, try to position this where you can enjoy it. Garden care: Plant in a sheltered spot and provide a generous layer of mulch around the base of the plant in autumn. In colder regions, grow it in a large pot so it can easily be moved to a sheltered spot when the temperatures start to drop. In early spring remove any misplaced or frost-damaged branches and mulch with well-rotted leaf mould or pine needles.
Digitalis purpurea ‘Dalmatian White’ (foxglove) £4.99
Position: partial shade Soil: humus-rich soil Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: June to July Hardiness: fully hardy You wont be disappointed with this new foxglove if you like to see immediate results, as it will nearly always flower in its first year. The pure-white flowers that form on the upright branching stems, have a pretty freckling of plum coloured markings in their throat, and if cut back promptly, there may well be a second flush of flowers later in the year. Garden care:Ensure that the soil is kept moist in summer. After flowering, cut back the flowered spikes to encourage more sideshoots. Cut down to the ground after flowering. Apply a generous 5-7 cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the plant in early spring. These plants are mainly biennial or short-lived perennials, although if happy they will produce plenty of new sideshoots and self-seed freely.
Tomatoes and peppers soil extract fertiliser £3.99
This soil extract for tomatoes and peppers is specially formulated to stimulate high quality plant and fruit growth for all tomato and pepper plants in the greenhouse. A 100% natural humic fertiliser, this soil extract is made from earthworm compost and is a high quality natural biohumus. This concentrated extract contains a full complex of humic, fulvic and amino acids with macro and micro elements, soil antibiotics, fitovitamins and micro- organisms for easy plant absorption. It improves soil structure which stimulates germination and root growth for increased nutrient appropriation giving intense appearance of plants and fruit with enhanced vitamin, sugar and protein levels. This fertiliser also reduces absorption of nitrates and heavy metals and helps plants recover faster from replanting. It can also suppress attacks from pests and diseases. Supplied in a 500ml bottle.
Universal soil extract fertiliser £3.99
This soil extract is specially formulated to stimulate high quality plant growth for all plants in all conditions – whether indoors, outdoors or in the greenhouse. This soil extract is a 100% natural humic fertiliser made from earthworm compost – a high quality natural biohumus. The concentrated extract contains a full complex of humic, fulvic and amino acids with macro and micro elements, soil antibiotics, fitovitamins and micro-organisms for easy plant absorption. This fertiliser stimulates germination and root growth for increased nutrient appropriation with enhanced vitamin, sugar and protein levels. It also helps plants to recover faster from replanting. Supplied in a 500ml bottle.
leaf beet ‘Swiss Chard’ (swiss chard) £1.99
Position: full sun Soil: humus-rich, moisture retentive soil is a big, handsome plant with broad, pure white midribs. It’s extremely reliable, producing a good crop even in drought conditions and withstanding winter weather well too. Makes an excellent cut-and-come-again crop: pick leaves from the outside to encourage fresh young growth. It can be grown all year round and a last sowing in late summer in greenhouse borders or under cloches provides fresh greens all winter. Growing Instructions: In spring, make a drill 2cm deep and sow seeds about 20cm apart. Cover lightly with soil and water in. Seeds can produce multiple seedlings, so thin to leave one plant to mature at each spot. Leaf beet can also be grown in containers: sow direct into the compost allowing about four seeds to a 45cm pot. Sow: March to August Harvest: Mid-May to November Approximate quantity: 250 seeds.