We have grown Muscari in our garden for years. As you know I like trouble free plants and it doesn’t get much more low maintenance than this! Muscari bulbs are really easy to grow and not too fussy about their environment as long as they have plenty of sunshine. We have planted them at the edge of the path in the Spring Garden where they can easily be seen from the deck of my garden studio. Slowly but surely they self seed and form new clumps of bulbs with lots of flowers. I love them not only because they are easy to grow but also because they flower early and attract bees and other beneficial insects.

Muscari armeniacum is commonly known as the Armenian Grape Hyacinth. Muscari bulbs are related to Hyacinths and originate from South East Europe and Western Asia. There are many cultivars available to gardeners now with flowers in a range of colours from deep blue through light blue to white so you are sure to find some you love. Flowers are produced in profusion. If you choose carefully you could have Muscari in flower in your garden from December until May depending on your selection.

This one is new to us this year it’s Muscari ‘Christmas Pearl’. We have had lots of lovely pale blue scented flowers already because I potted some bulbs up and forced them in the cold greenhouse. So far it seems a bit taller than some of the others in our garden reaching 25-30cm/10-12 inches in height. Planted outdoors clumps of Muscari will spread and just like Snowdrops can become congested after a few years. It’s best to lift and divide them after flowering (when the leaves are yellowing) about once every three years. Replant the bulbs in small groups immediately or pot some up to give to your friends and neighbours.

Plant newly purchased Muscari bulbs in Autumn. For best result choose a well drained spot in full sun or with light shade. In deep shade they will not flower well… if at all. They combine beautifully with other spring flowering bulbs such as Hyacinths, Daffodils and Tulips. There are several ways you could plant them:

• In groups in the border for a natural effect under deciduous shrubs.
• In generous swathes edging a path or border.
• In pots or terracotta bulb bowls for your patio (great if you don’t have a sunny spot in your border)
• In rows in your cutting garden or veg plot. As a cut flower Muscari last about 5 days in a vase.

Don’t worry if you missed planting Muscari bulbs last autumn. They will be on sale ready to flower in all good nurseries and garden centres for the next few months.

Do you grow Muscari in your garden?

Thanks for reading and Happy Gardening! Gillian 🙂