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Bulbs

Muscari macrocarpum

large-fruited grape hyacinth

A free-flowering, bulbous perennial with grey-green strap-like leaves. Dark purple buds emerge from the foliage in spring, turning to shades of yellow as they open into fragranced flowers. An alternative to the usual blue variety of muscari, and not quite as vigorous.

Synonyms

Muscari muscarimi var. flavum
Muscarimia macrocarpum

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Muscari are bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped leaves and small bell-shaped, tubular or urn-shaped flowers borne in a dense raceme on an erect leafless stem
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Greece Turkey

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant 10cm deep in groups, in moderately fertile, moist, but well drained soil in full sun. To retain vigour, lift congested clumps and divide when dormant in autumn

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Divide clumps and plant divisions separately in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Patio and container plants
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove old flower stems and dead foliage in summer

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal infections including anther smuts and bluebell rust (see rust diseases), and bacterial soft rot and some virus diseases

Get involved

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