Muscari: what is it?

Spring invites grape hyacinths to flower from March to May. These bulbs perennials bring color by developing clusters of small bells which are mostly in blue tones but also white, pink or even sometimes two-tone and stand out against bright green foliage. In addition to being bright, the flowers give off a subtle fragrance.

Appellations

the muscari (grape hyacinth) is also called the cluster hyacinth. It is a member of the Liliaceae family (Liliaceae). We find different species like armeniacum and azurum, latifolium.

Botanical description of grape hyacinth

These little ones bulbs bloom from the first days of spring until May. Numerous linear leaves, which develop in winter, form a tuft and reveal flowering stems at the ends with clusters of bells. First spring blooms and perfume! Rather musky aromas hence its name “Muscari”.

Here are some varieties of muscari:

• ‘Dark Eyes’: with blue flowers lavender ;
• ‘Blue Spike’: clusters of light blue double flowers;
• ‘Double Beauty’: with double flowers between white and blue;
• ‘White Pearl’ and ‘White Magic’: with inflorescences pure white;
• ‘Pink Sunrise’: with pink flowers.

Grape hyacinths in original colors:

• ‘Mountain Lady’: with white and sky blue inflorescences;
• ‘Grape Ice’: two-tone flowers, a mixture of white above and purple below.

Origins of Muscari

This small bulb is native to the forests and rocky slopes of Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and the Caucasus.

Cultivation requirements of grape hyacinth

These spring bulbs, like the tulips or narcissus, plant in fall to offer magnificent blooms from next spring. Prefer to plant them in a Earth light and well drained. Provide them with a sunny to semi-shaded location to thrive. Grape hyacinths will be equally at home in a pot, in a planter, in a bed or in a rockery. Make holes with a trowel or bulb dibbler. In each planting hole, which must be about ten centimeters deep, lay a bed of sand or gravel so that the water drains deeply. Do the same for pot planting. the drainage is very important to prevent the bulbs from rotting with constant humidity. Position the bulbs pointing upwards, without them touching. Plug the hole, tamp it down and water lightly. Grape hyacinths do not require special care except for a little watering when they are planted in a container and the surface soil is dry.

Very hardy, grape hyacinth bulbs can withstand temperatures down to -25°C. Once planted, leave them in place. Know that the hyacinth with bunches naturalizes easily and can colonize a space in a few years. So do not hesitate to to divide to revive them.

Use of grape hyacinth

Muscari bulbs are planted in groups to give a dense effect, once in flower. In a pot or planter, pair them with other colorful spring bulbs like narcissus, tulips Where hyacinths. Bring to your compositions green foliage like ivy to contrast this luminous blue. In the undergrowth or under a tree, create bluish carpets by mixing the different shades of varieties. Also dare some bulbs in the lawn. The result will be magnificent.