Muscari armeniacum, generally known as the Grape Hyacinth, is an herbaceous plant of the Botryanthus grouping of the genus Muscari with basal, simple leaves and short, flowering stems. The flowers are purple, blue (with a white fringe), or white and the plants are usually 6 inches tall. M armeniacum blooms in mid-Spring (April/May) for 3-4 weeks. Some selections are fragrant. . Established bulbs leaf in the autumn. M armeniacum is found widespread in woods and meadows of the Eastern Mediterranean, from Greece and Turkey to the Caucasus. ^[1]

Cultivation

M armeniacum is the most commonly cultivated species of Muscari and naturalises easily. It appeared in European gardens in 1871. ^[2] Cultivars include 'Argaei Album', 'Album', 'Blue Spike', 'Cantab', 'Côte d'Azur', 'Dark Eyes, 'Early Giant', 'Fantasy Creation', 'Peppermint', 'Saphir', and 'Valerie Finnis'. The commonly available form is often referred to as M armeniacum 'Blue'. ^[3]

‘Blue Spike’ is a double flowered variety, with double florets on the flower stalk. ^[4] 'Fantasy Creation' is a sport (a naturally occurring genetic mutation) of 'Blue Spike'. ^[5]

References

Sources

• North Carolina State University: Muscari armeniacum

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