Muscari - AKA Grape Hyacinths

 Also known as Grape Hyacinths…. although totally not related to hyacinths at all !! 

a sea of blue !

Description

 Muscari bulbs produce dainty clusters of small blooms that make a dramatic under-planting for taller bulbs. But if planted in mass they create an unforgettable show of color and style on their own !Classified in the Asparagus family – there are about forty species. The name of the genus comes from the Greek word for musk. Grape hyacinth is hardy in zones 3-9.In the majority of cases, they do not poison humans or animals. Only excessive consumption can cause mild symptoms of poisoning due to the flavonoids and anthocyanins in grape hyacinths. 

Habitat

 The genus originated in the Mediterranean basin, including Central and Southern Europe, Northern Africa, Western, Central and Southwest Asia.It has become naturalized elsewhere, including Northern Europe and the United States. 

Growing

 Some species are among the earliest garden flowers to bloom in the spring.Each bulb produces one to three 4” high flower stalks with 20 + tightly packed flowers per stalk. Most of the bell-shaped florets have a thin white band on the rim. Almost all will have a mildly sweet fragrance.The flowers open sequentially from the bottom up, with the lowest flowers withering as the top ones open. Pollinated flowers are followed by tripartite seed pods. 

Seed caps

 Plant the bulbs in the fall, 4 inches deep and 2 inches apart. Best to place in well-draining sandy soil kept acid to neutral. The plants benefit from bone meal applied at planting and after blooming. Reduce watering after the foliage begins to die back.They will tend to multiply quickly ! 

Varieties

 Mainly available for planting are the several varieties of M. botryoides and M. armeniacum.Album – is a fragrant, white-flowered selection that is not as vigorous as the standard type. 

White muscari

Pink sunrise – has pinkish flowers. 

Pink !

Cantab – has sky blue, slightly fragrant flowers and blooms slightly later than the standard type. 

a yummy Dark Blue

Fantasy Creation – has double blue flowers that may develop green overtones as the flowers age. 

Chunky !

 Additionally, there are a few other species also used ornamentally.M. comosum - tassel hyacinth – blooms in late spring, with purplish brown flowers. 

Tassel

Muscari latifolium - this native of Turkey produces a single leaf from each bulb. It blooms in early spring with bi-colored flowers clusters that have pale blue florets on top and are dark blue-black on the bottom. 

two toned beauty !

M. plumosum - feather hyacinth – has sterile and threadlike, purple-blue flowers that create the appearance of a feathery plume. 

feathery indeed !

And many many more varieties and hybrids available !!!!

How about filling your garden with a sea of blue !

Call us - we know our Muscari !  

PLANT SPECIALISTSGREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !

   Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK