What ya bought lately - CONFESS

[Yakram]

OH bought one of those mysterious mist thingies at the NEC GWL that you put in a pond or a big water pot and mist comes out all spooky-like. It's fab.

[Plocket]

Sounds cool Yakram!

I went to Stockley Farm with my family and Margi, and we went to the nursery/shop at Arley Hall. I picked up a little Primula Japonica, a Primula Jap. Miller's Crimson and a Dierama Dracomontanum.

[Weeterrier]

[Weeterrier]

Just received an order from Crocus, what a delight. Everything in superb condition, and a shrub rose was covered in flowers, the smell was heavenly when I opened the box.
In fact they were soooooooooo lovely that I have placed another order.
Veronicastrum and Phlox.

[Auricula]

Hi W.T.
I've often wondered about Crocus, I've heard that the quality of plants is good and that they are reliable, so I have no worries on that score - I did wonder how big their plants are when you get them?Some companies send out good sized plugs but some sre tiny ( J Parkers for instance).

[Plocket]

They usually say how big the pots are Auricula which would give you an idea. Put it this way, the Epimedium I received from them today was in a 2 litre pot and it was a reasonably mature plant like I would expect to see in a garden centre - not a plug plant. May I suggest that you give them a go and see what you think? I really do believe you'll be pleased - there's a code we've been bandying about too which gives you free delivery and 20% off if it's still working: 90838 (by the way you put the code in BEFORE you pay so if it doesn't work there are more codes on this www.vouchercodes.com/index.htm that Amo recommended.)

[bungledogian]

And my first order from CROCUS arrived today, choc cosmos, bergamot and astrantia, all in superb condition and a really good size. The cosmos in beeeeeeeeeautiful! Will def buy from them again.

[Weeterrier]

Hi Auricula, the plants are full size, just as you would buy them from the GC. I'll take a photo of my order tomorrow, and let you see. To be honest, everything I have bought, and I have been naughty, has been better than my local GCs.
I think, although Crocus perhaps grow some stuff themselves, they are more of a distribution service for smaller specialist nurseries. For example, their Hellebores, special Pelargoniums, special Lupins etc., That is why their plants take 2 weeks to arrive, they have to collect the plants ordered from different places.
Their non-plant stuff comes quicker.

[Weeterrier]

Went out in the rain, couldn't wait. Here are some photos Auricula.

The rose, the Penstemons and the Phlox. The brown bits are just straw that they used for packing.

[Amo]

And just where are you going to shove them young lady??? ;D

Crocus have always been the top online mail order company and is just about the only one I use regularly.

I should have bought shares

[Weeterrier]

Oh, Amo, I didn't take photos of the Clematis, or the 3 Crocosmia.
But I DO have some new space, where I dug out the old hedges. Of course, that was to be filled by moving stuff from elsewhere. Oh dear.

[Jasmine]

Got my Crocus order today as well - it was even better packed than last time which you wouldn't have thought possible. I had straw tucked round all the plants as well WeeT. Everything was in good condition - it makes you wonder how Crocus can manage it when companies like T+M are a bit hit and miss. OH wanted to know why there were more plant boxes outside the back door!! ;D

[Weeterrier]

That's the problem with having an OH
Mine came in three large boxes, they never squeeze everything together.

[Jasmine]

I liked the way they had made one very tall box to fit my clematis in by firmly taping 2 tallish boxes together - there was no way the box was going to come apart or squash down on itself and damage the plant - it was quite a challenge opening the box with a pair of scissors!

[Amo]

Yes, they can get rather inventive!! ;D ;D ;D

I think the more they deliver what people expect the less custom rip offs like T&M will get. Survival of the fittest and all that. It's hardly any wonder they keep winning gold at Chelsea!!

[Jasmine]

Absolutely Amo!
On another note but still on Crocus - I keep dropping hints to my OH about that white metal rocking chair on the back of their catalogue - now I have just the spot for that with a nice squashy cushion on it to make it really comfy!!

[Weeterrier]

I have my eye on that too Jasmine, though I'd settle for one of the benches. Not that I ever sit down in the garden furniture I have already.
They just have far too much tempting stuff.

[Missredhead]

Jun 24, 2008 19:26:51 GMT Weeterrier said:

That's the problem with having an OH
Mine came in three large boxes, they never squeeze everything together.

How did they manage to fit HIM in Wee?

[Shrubrose]

I was wondering that as well Missy ;D

[Plocket]

[Weeterrier]

I said that wrong, didn't I? I should have said that my last OH was sent away in three large boxes.

That made me laugh, Missy, and you other quick girls ;D

[Missredhead]

;D We knew what you meant really

[Jasmine]

I bought a verbascum (Jackie in Pink) and a gaura (Pink Fizz) yesterday at Homebase. OH was busy negotiating on a 3-piece suite and I wondered off out to the GC. ;D

[Weeterrier]

Those are two lovely plants
BTW, I see that Homebase are now getting their plants from 'Crocus'. Don't know if it's everything, but some anyway. I have noticed that their plants here have been far superior to before. Just hope they look after them. The couple of staff they have at my local Homebase seem pretty good, they are always tending to something.

[Jasmine]

That might explain some of the more interesting plants they had WeeT. Our Homebase seem to look after their plants well too, and there are usually one or two members of staff working out there.

[Weeterrier]

Much better than B&Q

[Jasmine]

Absolutely!
I have just planted the verbascum I bought from Homebase and it had a Homebase care label poked down the side of the pot but down in the compost was a plain white label with black writing - the sort you get with Crocus plants!

[Cheerypeabrain]

I ent bought nuffink.

Just had a week off work and OH refused to go to ANY gardens or garden centres...he says that they're boring. He also had a migraine for 4 days so we've just been at home....

Tomorrow I go back to work. In the afternoon one of my sisters is taking me to a GC...and I've just had a phone call from another sister...she's picking me up after work on Thursday and taking me to another GC or three. ;D

sorted.

[Ruthie]

Today I bought an Aeonium ( purple rosette on a long stem which i've wanted for ages) and another Eucomis called Vandermerwei 'Octopussy'. Stupid name but a rather attractive plant. I now have 4 different Eucomis, guess that means I'm a collector!

[Shrubrose]

Jun 29, 2008 19:01:07 GMT Cheerypeabrain said:

I ent bought nuffink.

Just had a week off work and OH refused to go to ANY gardens or garden centres...he says that they're boring. He also had a migraine for 4 days so we've just been at home....

Tomorrow I go back to work. In the afternoon one of my sisters is taking me to a GC...and I've just had a phone call from another sister...she's picking me up after work on Thursday and taking me to another GC or three. ;D

;D ;D ;D

sorted.