Every spring garden looks better with muscari. These cobalt blue flowers complement every other color and at just 6 to 8” tall, it’s easy to fit them into almost any garden or landscaped area. Muscari are better known as grape hyacinths, which perfectly describes their flowers: tight clusters of fat little bells with a grape juice fragrance. Muscari bloom in mid-spring, at the same time as tulips. Deer and rodents rarely bother them, and the bulbs multiply readily, returning to bloom again year after year.
STEP 1 - KNOW
START WITH A BETTER BULB
When you compare two muscari bulbs side by side, it’s easy to see the difference in quality. The bigger the bulb, the more food that's stored inside. A larger bulb will give you a stronger plant with more flowers. Longfield Gardens supplies plump, 8/9 cm muscari bulbs to ensure you enjoy the biggest, brightest blooms.
STEP 2 - PLAN
SUN/SHADE: Muscari can be planted in full sun or light shade.
ZONE: Muscari are winter hardy in zones 4-9. Reference the USDA hardiness map HERE.
WHEN TO PLANT: Plant muscari in the fall, anytime after the first frost and before the ground freezes.
WHERE TO PLANT MUSCARI
PERENNIAL GARDENS: Muscari are in flower when most perennials are still just waking up. Their compact height makes them ideal for planting at the front of beds and borders. They pair beautifully with tulips and other spring flowers. Muscari also grow well in rock gardens.
NATURALIZED AREAS: In Holland, muscari are planted by the thousands to create great swaths of color beside ponds and streams, beneath trees and shrubs, and in woodlands and grassy areas. They are ideal companions for daffodils and tulips.
POTS AND PLANTERS: Muscari grow well in pots and planters, either planted on their own or mixed with other spring bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths. After flowering, the bulbs can be transplanted into your yard or garden.
STEP 3 - GROW
PLANTING IS AS EASY 1-2-3
1. Loosen the soil in the planting area or fill a pot with coarse growing mix.
2. Plant the bulbs 2 to 3" apart and 3 to 4" deep.
3. Cover the bulbs with soil and water if needed.
GROWING TIPS FOR MUSCARI
Muscari are inexpensive bulbs, so it’s easy to plant them in large numbers. Simply dig out an area, scatter the bulbs, and replace the soil.
Muscari are available in several different flower styles and colors. Planting several different types lets you stretch the muscari season and create an interesting mix of colors and textures. Two types to consider are Muscari latifolium, which has blue-black flowers with a lavender-blue topknot, and Muscari Ocean Magic, which starts out deep blue on the bottom and gradually fades to almost white on top.
Muscari are extremely hardy and though they prefer well-drained soil, they will thrive almost anywhere. Once planted, the bulbs multiply readily and will return every spring for years to come.
STEP 4 - AFTERCARE
CARING FOR MUSCARI AFTER THEY BLOOM
Like other spring bulbs, muscari use their foliage to produce energy for next year’s flowers. After the flowers have passed their prime, let the foliage to continue growing until it yellows. In most cases, the foliage will just fade away. If not, once the foliage has yellowed, it can be removed with a gentle tug.
Unlike other spring-blooming bulbs, muscari sometimes produce foliage in the fall as well as in the spring. A flush of fall foliage gives the bulbs a second chance to gather more energy for next year’s flowers. Just let the foliage grow until it is killed by frost. New foliage will appear next spring.
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