Muscari botryoides

Muscari botryoides, also known as False Grape Hyacinth or Grape Hyacinth, is a small spring-flowering bulb. It produces slender clusters of small bells in various shades of violet-blue. Resistant to cold and dry summers, this muscari spreads spontaneously. Its small bulbs are planted "naturally" in autumn, in the lawn, rockery or along pathways.

Muscari botryoides is a plant from the Asparagaceae family, native to central and eastern Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. It grows in meadows, woods and fields. The bulb is small, more or less conical in shape, and produces numerous bulblets. The linear, upright leaves emerge from the ground at the end of winter and dry up before summer. They are cordate in shape, glaucous, and form a small 15 cm tall erect tuft. Flowering occurs between March and May, depending on the climate. The flowering stems are 15 to 20 cm tall and bear a cluster of 6-8 cm at their tip. This flowering is almost scentless. The fruit is a capsule that opens with three rounded valves. The seeds self-sow in the garden.

Plant Muscari botryoides in small groups of about ten bulbs or scatter the bulbs here and there in the lawn or in a flower meadow. They can also be planted along pathways. They will greatly appreciate the well-drained soil of the rockery and the full sun it provides. Its flowering matches that of many small spring bulbs. This wild muscari pairs perfectly with Ipheions and 'Blue Shades' and 'White Splendour' Anemones. In the garden, it requires little maintenance. It can also be grown in a planter, with primroses and pansies.