About

This bulbous perennial to 20cm tall, with channelled, strap-shaped leaves appearing in autumn, and dense racemes of long-lasting, mid-blue flowers, pale green at the tips and rounded in bud, in spring.

About the genus

Muscari are bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped leaves and small bell-shaped, tubular or urn-shaped flowers borne in a dense raceme on an erect leafless stem

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeBulbs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Rock garden, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling 42746,pelargonium-beatrice-cottington-i-d,Pelargonium 'Beatrice Cottington' (I/d),,A garden-worthy Pelargonium

Care notes

CultivationPlant 10cm deep in autumn in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Lift and divide (when dormant in summer) congested clumps to maintain vigour. May be invasive
PruningNo pruning required, but remove spent foliage and cutting back in autumn may be needed
PropagationSeparate offsets in summer or propagate by seed, sown in autumn, in containers in a cold frame; cultivars may not come true from seed
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal infections including anther smuts and bluebell rust (see rust diseases), and bacterial soft rot and some virus diseases