Muscari: planting, growing advice and maintenance

Botany

Le Muscari, also known as grape hyacinth, is a plant from the family Hyacinthaceae / Liliaceae. This small bulbous perennial native to the mountains of south-eastern Europe, Armenia, as well as Turkey and the Caucasus, grows naturally at the edge of woods or on rocky slopes at altitude.

From its mountainous origins, the Muscari has retained a beautiful hardiness. Capable of enduring severe frosts, it acclimatises everywhere and withstands, in our regions, temperatures of down to -25 °C, depending on the species. Beneath its graceful appearance, it is a robust plant that, in addition to this great resistance to cold, tolerates drought and shade well.

The genus includes 30 species of bulbous perennials, including the classic Muscari armeniacum or Armenian muscari, Muscari aucheri (or Tubergenianum), botryoïdes, Muscari azureum with shorter foliage than that of other muscari species, some muscari with bicoloured flowers such as Muscari latifolium, Muscari neglectum and Muscari macrocarpum and the curious tufted muscari (Muscari comosum or ‘Plumosum).

Muscari shows a tufted habit that is more or less erect depending on the species, reaching heights of 60 cm, with a spread of about 30 cm for the most imposing varieties. In two to three seasons, the central bulb initially planted produces bulbils that spread slowly but surely. Once well established in well-drained soil, it will flower for a good ten years, provided the bulbs are divided every 3-4 years to ensure the plant’s longevity. Very prolific, as long as it is not disturbed too much, the Muscari naturalises easily at the foot of deciduous hedges, in borders and in lightly mown meadows. Muscaris also self-seed spontaneously, forming, in a few years, flowering and fragrant carpets.

Muscaris also self-seed spontaneously, forming, in a few years, flowering and fragrant carpets

From the first days of spring, the Muscari displays its luminous flowering resembling a miniature hyacinth. It forms waves of sky blue or pure white carried by tufts of fresh green grass. When the bulb is mature and well-developed, after two years, each rosette emits in spring 3 to 5 well-erect and graceful flower spikes, ranging from 10 to 60 cm in height. For several weeks, from March to May, these bare stems, devoid of leaves, bear 20 to 40 small drooping flowers gathered in non-toxic terminal conical inflorescences. Clusters of flowers measuring ten to thirty centimetres in height and up to 5 cm wide for the very large calibres. Tightly packed like grapes, the tepals of each bell measure only a few millimetres in length and form a small bell with a mouth often constricted. The appearance of the inflorescences varies according to the species and varieties. The Muscari armeniacum ‘Blue Spike’, a spectacular variety, features very double flowers attached to a plump spike resembling a hyacinth. The Muscari comosum ‘Plumosum’ has the particularity of bearing feathery lilac inflorescences composed of purple filaments, while the species type presents spikes composed of small bell-shaped flowers topped with a small feathery tuft made up of ultramarine to violet filaments. Muscari ‘Mountain Lady’ features original sky-blue flowers topped with a small tuft of white flowers.

Muscari armeniacum and Muscari comosum ‘Plumosum’ with feathery inflorescences

These small flowers, which are mostly intense blue, bright blue, sky, cobalt or violet, can sometimes be white or pale pink, a rare colour for a muscari. The Muscari derives its Latin name from musk, the sometimes very intense and heady fragrance emitted by most Muscari flowers, M. Aucheri ‘White Magic’ being one of the most fragrant. These intensely azure, powder pink or pure white cones also make charming little fresh bouquets.

Muscari neglectum and Muscari azureum bear bicoloured bells striped or marginate with bluish white. In others, it is the clusters that are bicoloured: those of Muscari macrocarpum change from purplish brown in bud to lemon yellow at maturity, Muscari latifolium features a crown of flowers of a more intense colour than those at the top of the spike, which are sterile. Only the flowers at the bottom produce seeds. Highly visited by pollinating insects, after pollination, the faded flowers produce trigonous fruits that release tiny black seeds that self-seed very easily.

Some varieties like Muscari ‘Ocean Magic’ offer magnificent shades of blue, Muscari macrocarpum astonishing contrasts

In Muscari, the foliage generally appears before the inflorescence: its vegetative cycle begins at the end of summer, with a few leaves appearing and persisting throughout winter. At the beginning of spring, other leaves emerge from a green basal rosette, and then the foliage develops with the flowering. Ranging from 6 to 30 cm long, fleshy, narrow, linear, often bent in the middle or spatulate, they resemble those of snowdrops or are finer and more elongated like those of Muscari neglectum, reminiscent of grasses. Light green to grey-green, they are sometimes shorter than the stem and form a nest of greenery on which the floral spikes, often in intense colours, stand out. In summer, the leaves turn yellow, and the plant enters dormancy. Deciduous, the foliage disappears after flowering to return in autumn.

Only Muscari latifolium features a single broad, fleshy leaf of a pruinose green that curls at the base

Very easy to grow, very accommodating, the Muscari grows everywhere and multiplies quickly in all fairly fertile, fresh and well-drained soils. While it prefers sunny exposures, it will also flower in partial shade. It can even be planted in woodland as it flowers before the foliage of deciduous trees appears.

Discreet and versatile, the Muscari thrives in many situations and creates scenes of great delicacy or flourishes in the semi-wild corners of the garden. It flowers in all areas of the garden, including balconies. For a beautiful decorative and spectacular effect, plant Muscari in masses, in groups of about ten bulbs, in flowering carpets, in woodland at the foot of trees, in borders, in rockeries or in scree gardens, scattered in lightly mown meadows or even in Japanese-style gardens.

The small Muscari bulbs fit anywhere between already established plants, without disturbing perennials and other bushes as they disappear underground when the latter come into growth. This bulbous plant thrives alongside a variety of other spring bulbs, daffodils, jonquils, anemones, hyacinths that its luminous flowering will highlight. Early pink or white tulips are also good companions for its graceful flowering. Muscaris can also be combined with each other to create oceans of blue flowers. All Muscaris are suitable for cultivation in spring planters mixed with pansies, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths or primroses.

Species and varieties

The most popular

Our favourites

Other interesting species

Muscari armeniacum Dark Eyes - Grape Hyacinth

A touch full of freshness for borders and rockeries.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 20 cm

See the product sheet

Muscari aucheri White Magic - Grape Hyacinth

An even rarer horticultural variety than the blue form

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 20 cm

See the product sheet

Muscari azureum - Grape Hyacinth

A lovely intense sky-blue flowering and a sweet fragrance

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Muscari macrocarpum Golden Fragrance

An original little bulb!

• Flowering time May
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Muscari Mount Hood

A contrasting bicolour variety

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Muscari latifolium - Grape Hyacinth

An original muscari producing bicolour clusters

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

See the product sheet

Muscari comosum Plumosum - Grape Hyacinth

A tufted Muscari, amazing with its feathery inflorescences

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Muscari Pink Sunrise - Grape Hyacinth

Exceptional for its unusual colour for a muscari!

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Young plantation

When to plant Muscari?

These small bulbs are planted early in the season, from September to mid-November, both in the ground and in pots.

Where to plant these flowering bulbs?

Muscari are not very demanding regarding soil type and exposure and are perfectly hardy in all regions. They quickly form flowering carpets without ever being invasive. They fit in anywhere, between established plants, and will fill gaps in two or three years as long as they are allowed to spread naturally.

They can be planted in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary soil, fairly fertile, cool but especially well-drained: they do not appreciate excess water. Muscari armeniacum tolerates even dry soils in summer, while others like Muscari botryoides thrive in clay soils. The Muscari macrocarpum needs summer warmth to bloom well. Moderately hardy (-7°C), in regions with harsh winters, mulch the soil or store the bulbs, while other species can remain in the ground.

Some, like M. armeniacum, show withered foliage when flowering arrives, forming a somewhat neglected carpet that can easily be masked by planting among Erythrones, wood Anemones, Pulmonarias, or Euphorbias.

Versatile, Muscari integrate into all settings in woodlands, at the foot of trees, along paths, in rockeries, scattered in a meadow or a short grass meadow. All Muscari can create beautiful flowering pots.

How to plant Muscari?

Plant generously, Muscari should be planted in groups (they are economical) and closely for maximum effect, in well-drained soil to prevent bulb rot.

• Loosen the soil deeply
• Improve drainage if necessary with a layer of gravel mixed with soil or placed as a bed under the bulbs
• Plant at a depth of 10 cm, point of the bulb facing up
• Space bulbs 8 cm apart or plant in groups of about ten in clusters, ensuring they do not touch
• Cover bulbs with twice the height of soil
• Water moderately
• After 2 years, divide the clumps and replant the bulbils from the initially planted bulbs (this will extend the covered area and promote flower vigour)

Pot culture

Like hyacinths, Muscari bulbs can easily be forced in the cold from autumn, to enjoy their flowering and fragrance indoors. For outdoor use, on the terrace or balcony, prefer a sunny location and larger calibres with bigger flowers. You can also plant them in pots in the year of purchase and then install them in the ground.

• Spread a layer of clay balls at the bottom of the pot for perfect drainage
• Fill the pot with a mix of garden soil, potting soil, and pumice
• Plant closely (about ten bulbs per pot) and cover with twice the height of soil
• Water regularly in winter and autumn, then space out in summer to completely stop watering during the dormancy period

Maintenance and care

Muscari is an easy plant that is so accommodating it requires no watering unless grown in a pot, nor any special care. When the foliage turns yellow in summer, after 3-4 years, it is time to lift the bulbs and separate the bulblets to maintain good vigour. No pruning is necessary; however, if you want to control propagation by limiting spontaneous sowing, cut the flower stems after flowering. On the other hand, only cut the foliage when it has withered, to allow the bulb time to replenish its reserves during the summer dormancy period. Muscari bulbs are frost-resistant and can remain in the ground from one year to the next, quickly forming very floriferous carpets. In regions with harsh winters, prefer pot planting for less hardy species such as Muscari macrocarpum or lift and winter the bulbs in a frost-free place. In autumn, you may add decomposed compost by scratching it into the soil at the base of the plants; this will help the bulbs to flower well the following spring.

In pots:

• Water regularly
• Apply special bulb fertiliser until the end of flowering

Possible diseases

Planted in suitable conditions, Muscari shows excellent resistance to diseases. However, keep an eye out for aphid attacks, which can sometimes cause certain viroses that discolour the foliage and flowers. In this case, simply dig up and remove the affected bulbs.

Multiplication

Sowing

The germination of Muscari seeds is long and unpredictable, especially since a young plant from sowing will take several years to flower and Muscari readily self-seed. We recommend division, which is very simple to do.

Division

After two years of cultivation, you can divide the clumps and separate the bulbets. Do this in June and until early autumn when the leaves turn yellow.

• Dig up the clump with a fork
• Separate the bulbs by hand or with a small knife
• Replant the muscari immediately
• Water a little

→ Also discover how to multiply bulbs by scaling in our tutorial!

Associate

Versatile, Muscari is very easy to combine and pairs well with a multitude of low-maintenance plants. Bright yet subtle, it thrives in natural-inspired gardens without gardeners or weekend gardens. Planted in numbers, this small bulb creates a big impact, forming carpets of blue, white, or even pink flowers in the garden in spring, and provides beautiful foregrounds in borders.

With its vibrant flowering, Muscari enjoys many situations as a flowering carpet, at the edge of woodlands at the foot of trees, scattered in the short grass meadow, to dress a pathway border or a sunny rockery, or even in Japanese-style gardens. This radiant bulbous plant flourishes alongside other spring bulbs, Anemone sylvestris, Hyacinths, Ipheions, Iris reticulata, Erythrones. Pulmonarias and Euphorbias will look stunning paired with these small spring bulbs.

Muscari forms magnificent carpets against a backdrop of Daffodils, Jonquils, and early Tulips, in a contrasting blue/yellow-green version or in fresh white/blue scenes imbued with delicacy. When paired together, they create fantastic blue waves at the heart of spring. All are suitable for pot cultivation on a windowsill or balcony mixed with Pansies, small Daffodils, Crocuses, Myosotis, or primroses.

Looking for even more inspiration? Discover our advice sheet: “Muscari: 8 beautiful pairing ideas”