Muscari (in containers) trial results 2024
Objectives and purpose of the trial
View of Muscari plants growing in containers in March 2024
Muscari planted in terracotta pots at RHS Wisley in April 2024
What is an RHS Award of Garden Merit?
The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is intended to help gardeners choose plants that are likely to perform well, and is only awarded to plants that are:
- Excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions
- Available
- Good constitution
- Essentially stable in form and colour
- Reasonably resistant to pests and diseases
Judging criteria
The following factors were all taken into consideration as part of the judging of the trial:
- Flower form, uniformity and impact
- Length of flowering period
- Weather resistance
- Leaf quality and prominence
Muscari AGM winners
For us judges, the form of the flower and length of flowering is important, as is the quality and dominance of the foliage. You don’t want leaves obstructing the blooms.
Why the AGM was awarded
Judging of the Muscari trial at RHS Wisley in March 2024
Forum judging the Muscari trial at RHS Wisley in April 2024
AGMs rescinded
Plants and location
What was planted?
Where was it planted?
The bulbs were planted in terracotta containers (37cm diameter), 10cm deep in the Trials Garden at RHS Wisley, Surrey. Here are some considerations for planting out Muscari:
- Muscari are hardy and can be planted in the ground, or containers, in a sunny or partially shaded, free-draining site
- They are perennials and will come back year after year
- Muscari are small spring-flowering bulbs, with vibrant blue, light blue, pink, white or even yellow flowers in some species
- Muscari combine well with other spring flowers. Try planting under taller plants like daffodils or clump-forming perennials such as peonies with colourful spring foliage
- Muscari are early sources of pollen and nectar for pollinators
- Some grape hyacinths spread more vigorously than others
Cultivation
Planting process
Size differences between each entry meant that for some entries, 100 bulbs fitted easily within the container with a gap around the edge. Some bulbs just fitted into the container, and for others, 100 bulbs couldn’t fit. The number of bulbs planted for each trial entry was recorded.
The pots were left outside over winter to expose the bulbs to the winter weather. Where very low temperatures were forecast, the pots were covered with fleece, as the Trials Garden site is very open and prone to extremes.
How plant health was managed
Challenges
The Muscari were generally not affected by any diseases or pests.
On planting of the bulbs, it was noticed that some bulbs were covered in aphids. Each entry was dunked into a preventative soapy solution before being planted.
Botrytis, grey mould, was identified on some of the trial entries showing leaf yellowing and dieback and a fuzzy grey mould. The entries were taken out of the trial display to reduce the spread of the fungus.
Although they are not usually a favourite snack for deers or rodents, the pots were initially surrounded by a fence to protect from any potential animal damage.
Watering
Spring rainfall was higher than average, however some of the most foliage-heavy trial entries required more watering as the rain wasn’t able to reach the compost.
How to grow Muscari
Explore all the information you need to know to grow and care for Muscari in your garden
Discoveries
2024
As a one-year container trial, planting of the bulbs had been carried out later to delay the emergence of the foliage. This is good advice to give gardeners planning a container display. The forum predicted that in the second year, these containers would become a mass of foliage, especially entries producing lots of bulbil (young plant) offsets, the bulbs will be packed too tightly. To continue with a container display the forum would recommend feeding, unpotting and repotting the bulbs to the original spacing.
Who was involved?
Judges of the trial
The Muscari judges included: Alex Hankey (Alpine Team Leader, RHS Wisley), Andy Byfield (Botanist and Conservationist), Camilla Bassett-Smith (Television Presenter and Writer), Coralie Thomas (Assistant Head Gardener at Great Dixter House and Gardens), John Amand (Owner, Jacques Amand International), Kit Strange (Bulb specialist, RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group), Matt Bishop (Bulb specialist, RHS Bulb Expert Group), Ray Drew (Alpine Garden Society and RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group), Richard Hobbs (Botanist, Muscari National Collection Holder) and Teresa Clements (Chair, RHS Bulb Expert Group).
Suppliers to the trial
List of plants in the trial
Handy tools and information
- Full article - Filter for AGM plants and refine by colour, height and season of interest
Find an AGM plant online
Filter for AGM plants and refine by colour, height and season of interest - Full article - Explore advice and helpful tips from our resident experts
Gardening advice
Explore advice and helpful tips from our resident experts - Full article - Check how hardy plants are using the RHS hardiness ratings system
Hardiness ratings
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RHS Grow app
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Get in touch
For more information on our RHS Plant Trials or to access older trial reports, please get in touch with our team via email at [email protected].
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