About
A neat, clump-forming, bulbous perennial, to 20cm tall, with linear, semi-erect leaves and upright leafless stems. Dense heads of small, tubular to urn-shaped tri-coloured pale blue and darker blue flowers topped with a cluster of smaller near-white flowers, emerge in spring from pale green buds.
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
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Gravel garden
FragranceFlower
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationPlant 10cm deep in autumn in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Lift and divide congested clumps in summer to maintain vigour. See for further information about RHS plant trials and awards
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