Organic grape hyacinths
Muscari , also known as grape hyacinths, are popular for their blue, purple or white flower clusters in a conical shape, which resemble bunches of grapes, hence the name "grape hyacinths".
The flower clusters bloom on top of flower stems of about 20 centimeters high. They bloom in March and April with 3 to 5 flower stems per bulb and produce 3 to 5 bluish green narrow leaves per bulb, which are higher than the flower.
By grape hyacinths we mean the well-known blue Grape hyacinth and the white grape hyacinths, but less known are the double-flowered grape hyacinth, which produce thick bunches of flowers and are also very decorative.
Muscari for bees
The flowers of grape hyacinths contain a lot of nectar, which provides pollinators such as bees with a lot of nutrition so early in the year.
Where do I plant muscari flowerbulbs?
The muscari flowerbulbs need a cold period and should be planted in the ground from September to January. The correct planting depth varies between 2 to 3 times the height of the flowerbulb itself and the planting distance is also 2 to 3 times the width of the flowerbulb itself.
Plant the flowerbulbs in a nutrient-rich, water-drained soil, preferably a calcareous sandy soil. They also grow in clay soil, as long as the soil is well-drained and does not retain excess water. If you have clay soil, you can improve the soil by adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage.
Plant muscari in a sunny to semi-shaded position or under deciduous trees where the sun shines in winter, but is sheltered under the trees in summer.
Care of the muscari
Provide organic nutrients when planting and just before flowering. After flowering, the dead flowers at the top of the flower stem are cut off and the foliage dies off automatically. Only cut the foliage when it has completely died. The muscari is a real Stinzen plant. It naturalizes easily if planted in the right location. Provide organic food annually for optimal results.
Propagation
The muscari reproduces via seed and produces many small breeding balls every year. For propagation, the flowerbulbs are removed from the ground at the beginning of summer, divided and immediately planted again. The seed can also be grown in the winter in a pot with compost, covered with a thin layer of grit. Cover the jar with plastic or glass for moisture retention. As soon as the shoots are above the ground, the pot can go outside.
Origin of the muscari
The muscari belong to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). They originally occur in areas from Turkey to the Caucasus Mountains, but have been growing in the wild in the Netherlands for centuries.
Buy Muscari
At the Bloemoloog, muscari flowerbulbs are available in the webshop from June to January and on the market from August to January.