Muscari armeniacum 'Blue Spike' (d)
grape hyacinth 'Blue Spike'
A vigorous, clump-forming, bulbous perennial to 20cm high, with narrow, linear green leaves. In spring, produces large, densely packed spikes of small, scented, double blue flowers with white tips. Foliage dies back after flowering and new leaves are produced in autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Blue | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | ||||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 10cm deep in autumn in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Lift and divide congested clumps in summer to maintain vigour. Spreads readily in good conditions; good for naturalising in meadows and wildlife gardens - see bulbs: naturalising
Propagation
Propagate by division of established clumps, separating offsets when dormant in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Gravel garden
- Banks and slopes
- Garden edging
Pruning
No pruning required
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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