Muscari Flowers

Muscari Flowers London

Name : Muscari Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Muscari, (Muscari aucheri)
Muscari Description

Muscari is a genus comprising of about 40 species of annual plants that belong to the Hyacinthaceae Family though they are sometimes placed in the Lily family, Liliaceae. Commonly known as Grape Hyacinths, they are native to the Mediterranean region, the Center and South of Europe, Northern Africa and Asia Minor. The genus earns it common name Grape Hyacinths due to the fact that the clusters of small, bell-shaped, cobalt-blue blossoms look like bunches of upside-down grapes. The genus derives its botanical name Muscari from the Latin word muscus, as the flower’s fragrance is said to resemble musk.

Grape hyacinths are spring flowering plants and some varieties are the earliest to bloom in the spring season. The urn-shaped spikes of Grape hyacinths are dense and fragrant, mostly occurring in shades of blue or mauve while white cultivars have also been developed.

The Keukenhof Gardens in Holland have a big plantation of Grape Hyacinths which is extremely popular due to its breath taking beauty and is known as the Blue River. This picturesque plantation attracts many visitors each spring as the dependable Muscari blossoms each year, filling the entire area and looking like a flowing, fragrant river.

Grape Hyacinths are small plants, usually not more than 10 inches in height. Their petals are fused together and have small white tips, giving them a balloon or grape like appearance. They are deer resistant and fairly easy to grow. Once established, Grape Hyacinths naturalize freely in good soils. Muscari thrive in well-drained sandy soil that is acid to neutral and not too rich. With minimum care requirements, Grape Hyacinths are the ideal plants for your garden. Plant them in full sun or light shade in the fall. Grape Hyacinths have grass-like, gracefully arching leaves, and work well in containers as well as in borders, beds and rock gardens. They can be grown under shrubs and trees or forced indoors to add colour and scent to your living room.

Grape Hyacinths are propagated by seed or by separating their bulb offsets. Most common and easy method of propagation is by bulbs planted in fall. Beautiful blossoms appear in early to mid-spring.

Muscari or Grape Hyacinths make excellent cut flowers and look stunning in any flower arrangement. Grape Hyacinths are a popular choice for spring weddings and look lovely in traditional country cottage style bouquets. With a vase life of about 8 days, this enchanting flower makes an excellent gift or a table centre piece.

Popular varieties include M. aucheri, which is available in a number of cultivars such as Blue Magic and White Magic. M. azureum is originally bright blue but cultivars in shades of light blue and white have also been developed. M. latifolium is available in shades varying from deep indigo at the base to pale violet at the tip whereas M. tubergenianum varies from deep blue at the base to a beautiful, bright shade of blue at the tip.

Muscari Meaning

Associated with the month of December, the mesmerizing Muscari convey different meanings depending on their colour.

Blue Muscari or Grape Hyacinth signifies Constancy
Purple Muscari varieties portray the meanings I'm Sorry; Please Forgive Me; and Sorrow
White Muscari means Loveliness and I'll Pray For You.

Muscari Mythology

The Greeks pickle the bulbs of M. comosum and call them ?????? [vol'vi] meaning 'bulbs' and in the Basilicata and Puglia region of Italy, under the names "lampascioni", "lampasciuni" and "lamponi". These bulbs are also enlisted in the Ark of Taste catalogue of heritage foods.