Muscari, nicknamed ‘Grape Hyacinth’, are members of the Liliaceae family that grow spikes covered with grape-like, long-lasting blooms in various shades of blue plus white and pink. They are great as an edging plant or a ‘shoes and socks’ plant, covering the knees of larger bulbs.
The armeniacum-types send up foliage in the fall, which make it a great ‘garden marker’, helping to locate other previously planted bulbs that may need fertilization or and additional top-dressing of compost in the fall.
The normal planting depth of most bulbs is, ‘3 times the height of the bulb deep’. Most regular daffodils and tulips are planted about 6” deep. Since Muscari bulbs are smaller and therefore are planted about 2”-3” deep, your favorite daffodil or tulips can be planted first, 6” deep, and covered with a bit of soil. The Muscari can then be planted right on top. Once all are covered and mulched, you have just created a ‘lasagna garden’ – one with flowers that will bloom at a similar time! Notice in the image on the left how the leaves of the Muscari help to fill the garden area, which may even help deter the windborne weed seed from germinating. One other thought: If you have a favorite summer blooming perennial that is either bareroot or is a small plug, that can be planted right on top of the bulbs you just planted. You will then have created a ‘sequential lasagna garden’, with colorful blooms from spring into summer!
Muscari perform just as well with other small bulbs. We have heard people say that Muscari make all the other bulbs and plants in the garden look better than they would blooming alone, and we agree!
Muscari are not normally gobbled up by the ‘underground bulb monsters’ (our nickname for the VOLE), but since they are members of the Liliaceae family, it may help to use some PLANTSKYYD in the garden, just in case.
Muscari armeniacum is one of the least expensive bulbs in this group, which makes it easier for garden designers to consider experimenting with and utilizing this special bulb creatively.
As you can see above, both of these designs are trying to help us visualize a flowing river and we think it has succeeded. Notice how with just one change in color, the whole feel of the design is different. Where might you consider creating a ‘living picture’ with different colors of bulbs, including Muscari? Have fun thinking about that design! We’d enjoy seeing your new creations!
Speaking of having fun, the image below was taken in Becky’s ‘Repurpose Garden’, where there are many unusually shaped ‘planters’. Brent and Becky both believe in recycling and repurposing. If an item can no long function for which it was originally intended, but it holds compost and has a hole for drainage, it is converted into a planter: tractor tires, toilets, bidets, tubs, and yes, a sailboat! When the tulips are in bloom, it really is an awesome site! The ‘Repurpose Garden’ is one of our most popular gardens!
Take a look at our fall-planting catalogue to see what we have available now!
