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Bulbs

Muscari 'Alaska'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A clump-forming, bulbous perennial, to 15cm tall, with strap-shaped green foliage. Densely packed flower spikes produce small green buds opening to sweetly fragranced, almost waxy clusters of tiny pyramid-shaped snow-white and powder-blue flowers which fade to darker blue and appear in the spring. Very weather-resistant

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Blue Green Green
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

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

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, 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

Accepted

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How to grow

Cultivation

Plant 10cm deep in autumn in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Lift and divide (when dormant in summer) congested clumps to maintain vigour. See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards for further information about RHS plant trials and awards

Propagation

Separate offsets in summer or propagate by seed, sown in autumn, in containers in a cold frame; cultivars may not come true from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

No pruning required, but remove spent foliage and cutting back in autumn may be needed

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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