Muscari 'Alaska'
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
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H6Botanical 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
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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