Muscari Mount Hood

Muscari 'Mount Hood' is one of the brightest muscaris: its spikes of cobalt blue flowers, strangely topped with white, create astonishing blue and white tides in spring that can be seen from afar. This variety with particularly contrasting flowering is also one of the most prolific in our collection, and it naturalises easily in well-drained soil. This superb descendant of M. aucheri is hardy and easy to grow and will thrive in pots and beds, in full sun or partial shade. Just like hyacinths, the bulb can easily be forced into bloom in the cold from autumn, to enjoy its flowers in your home in the heart of winter.

Muscari aucheri is a bulbous plant from the Hyacinthaceae family, originating from alpine meadows in the mountains of Turkey. With a medium size for a muscari, the 'Mount Hood' variety reaches 15-20 cm (6-8in) high and 10 cm (4in) wide. Its growth cycle begins in September-October in mild climates or in spring, when its foliage appears (often with 3 leaves). Its rather wide, ribbon-like leaves are greenish-grey on top and remain neat-looking after flowering, then disappear in summer. A single floral stem emerges in April-May (sometimes as early as March) depending on the climate and weather. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers that is 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) long and about 1 cm (0in) wide, with a musky fragrance. The small, urn-shaped flowers measure only 5 to 6 mm (0in) long and are tightly packed together, forming a narrow and dense cone. The flowers towards the lower part of the spike are a bright medium blue, while those at the top are white. This bulb will naturalis slowly but steadily in light soil, without ever becoming invasive.

Plant Muscari 'Mount Hood' in groups of about ten bulbs, for a flowering carpet or along a path, or randomly naturalise them in a lawn and at the base of bushes. While its flowers are beautiful on their own, they will also enhance all other spring bulbs, such as daffodils, early hyacinths, ipheions, anemone blanda, and reticulated irises... Other muscaris (M. 'Ocean Magic, 'White Magic, M.latifolium, M. armeniacum) can also be associated with it to expand the colour palette even further. Muscaris pair well with daffodils and wood anemones, creating delicate compositions. Pink or white tulips are also good companions for their graceful flowering.