These are the
Hyacinthacea in which one family has a very bad
reputation. It's the thug that goes under the
name of the grape hyacinth a member of the
Muscari family. It can spread to thousands in a
few years from just a few bulbs. If only all
would multiply so fast. My M. neglectum hasn't
increased from the two bulbs I originally
bought.
The blue flowers in my
collection take in Muscaris, Scillas,
Chionodoxas, Puschkinias and Hyacinthoides. All
are very easy to cater for whether they are
grown in the ground or pots. In pots they are in
a very free draining mix consisting to equal
parts grit and sand with added bonemeal and leaf
mould. In the garden the planting mix varies
according to where they have been planted.
Muscari pseudomuscari in an alpine trough is in
a mix that is 50/50 Westland top soil and grit.
Muscaris growing on the rockery are in a mix of
soil, grit and mulipurpose compost. Muscaris,
Puschkinias and Hyancinthoides in one bed are
growing in a heavy clay that has been improved
with grit sand. In another bed bulbs are growing
in a light friable mix that is mainly top soil,
grit sand and leaf mould.
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