Indoor muscari - spring primroses in the interior

Muscari is also called mouse hyacinth or viper onion. This bulbous perennial belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), but previously this genus was a member of the lily or hyacinth family. This genus includes approximately 60 species. Under natural conditions, such plants can be found on the edges of forests, among bushes, as well as on the mountain slopes of the Caucasus, Crimea, Southern and Central Europe, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. These plants are among the earliest spring flowers and are often grown as cut flowers. Muscari flowers have a very strong, but quite pleasant smell. Small but very impressive muscari flowers decorate lawns, rock gardens and gardens. These flowers are also used as border plants.

Muscari planting and care in open ground photo

The age of primroses is short, but beautiful. Even during the short period of their active growing season, they manage to bring joy to the hearts of gardeners, announcing the arrival of spring. Meadows and fields, gardens and parks are illuminated with bright heads, introducing notes of warmth into the landscape that has just awakened from its winter sleep. One of the first to appear is the mouse hyacinth with its bright blue inflorescences. An unpretentious perennial that will easily fit into your garden design, even if you have absolutely no experience in growing flowers. This article will tell you about the primrose muscari: planting and care in open ground, photo of the plant, the intricacies of cultivation and propagation.

Varieties of muscari flowers and their types

Varietal diversity of muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... it amazes and, undoubtedly, pleases. These bright spring firstborns number about 70 varieties.

The most common ones are:

• MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. No... “Alba” is white.

• MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. No... "Cantab" is bright blue.

• MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... “Pearl” is purple.

• MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... “Fantasy” - blue-green flowers with a smooth transition.

• MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. No... “Sapphire” is dark blue.

• MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. No... "Blue Spike" is blue.

Species of Muscari flowersMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... includes seven types:

Armenian muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... (Colchisian). Temperature-resistant muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... it begins to bloom in the spring and continues to please the eye for two to three weeks. Armenian muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... was the first to receive his nickname “mouse hyacinth”.

The peduncles of the Armenian “hyacinth” are large and “stuffed”, the inflorescences have a transitional color, the lower ones are dark blue, with a white border, the upper ones are lighter. The aroma is sweet and persistent.

Of the varieties of Armenian muscari, Muscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. No... we can highlight:

Terry muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... “Blue Spike” is a multi-flowered peduncle, the flower is shaggy, voluminous and captivating in its beauty. The variety is demanding on fertilizing.

Cluster-shaped muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not…. This species is an evolutionarily established collection of individuals characterized by a single ... found in Southern Europe and Turkey. Cluster-shaped muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... distinguished by “universal” demand, unpretentiousness and beauty. The flower stalks are smaller than those of the Armenian muscari. Muscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. No..., but the color category of the species is more extensive.

Broad-leaved muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not…. The main difference lies in the name of the species; the foliage of the plant is wider than that of other flowers of the Muscari genus. Muscari belong to perennial, bulbous plants, from the asparagus family. Not…. Broad-leaved speciesA species is an evolutionarily established set of individuals, characterized by a single ... with proper care, produces two peduncles, dark blue flowers with heavy, large and dense inflorescences.

Pale muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not…. It grows most often in mountains and ravines. The peduncle is small, the color varies from light blue to white. Due to its delicate color, “Pink Muscari” has become a widespread variety of this species.

Tufted MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the Asparagus family. Not…. Original speciesA species is an evolutionarily developed set of individuals, characterized by a single... and the amazing aroma of this plant will not leave passers-by indifferent. A plant with a peduncle in the form of a “tuft”, pink, blue or purple flowers, located on arched petioles. Popular varieties of the species were recognized as: “Blue Spike” and “Plumozum”.

MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... Oshe (Tubergen). The homeland of this species of muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not... Western Iran is considered. The plant settles in warm sunny places, the inflorescences have a rich blue color, surrounded by a light, carved border. For comfort, the plant needs aerated, light soil.

MuscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. Not...pretty (Kadan Nae). Another variety of muscariMuscari are perennial, bulbous plants from the asparagus family. No..., it grows in Israel, in particular in Israeli national parks, the plant is prohibited for collection there. The peduncles of Kadan nae are of medium size, distinguished by a transitional color from dark blue to light and a white, jagged border.

On this, the species diversity of muscariMuscari belong to perennial, bulbous plants, from the asparagus family. It doesn’t... doesn’t end, but continues to delight us with its diversity: muscariMuscari belong to perennial, bulbous plants, from the asparagus family. Not... ambrosia, changeable, large-fruited, white-fruited, nutmeg, low-growing, aromatic, Caucasian, Turkish also join the lists of varieties of this beautiful plant.

Muscari: origin, description, photo

The bulbous perennial received the Latin name Muscari thanks to the botanist F. Miller. The scientist noted that the aroma of flowers is similar to the smell of musk. The plant is included in the Asparagus family, but the ancient botanical classification put it on a par with hyacinths. The external similarity of these cultures has only minor differences, which is why the name mouse hyacinth has taken root among the people. The perennial was nicknamed viper onion because of ancient stories that told about snakes eating deciduous mass. In fact, the reptiles were simply basking in sunny meadows, where primroses often grow.

Informative! Other synonymous names for the bulbous crop are associated with its bright appearance and love of moisture - rain flower, grape hyacinth, earthen lilac.

Representatives of the genus Muscari are low herbaceous plants, the underground part of which is represented by a perennial bulb. The shape of the vegetative organ is ovoid, the covering scales are painted in light colors. The length of the bulb is from 1.5 to 4 cm, diameter is 20 mm.

With the arrival of spring, fleshy, narrow-lanceolate leaves, covered with pronounced parallel veins, sprout from the bulb. The length of the leaf blades is 10-17 cm, they form a basal rosette. Each rosette consists of 2-7 leaves.

The erect, bare peduncle ends in a multi-flowered raceme. The flowers are simple, bell-shaped. The corolla consists of six petals fused together with a bent, jagged edge. The length of the flowering raceme is 2-8 cm. Each bud is attached to the stem with a shortened peduncle. Depending on the species and variety, the color of the petals can be white, yellow, pink, but the main color is blue-violet. Some varieties have a combined color, with a white skirt running along the edge of the blue perianth. The shape of the corolla also depends on the species. There are barrel-shaped, tubular and cylindrical flowers.

Inside the flower there are 6 stamens with blue or purple anthers and one pistil. The apical buds are sterile and serve to attract pollinators. During flowering, a thick, pleasant aroma spreads throughout the garden.

Know! By its nature, culture is ephemeral. In a short growing season, a tiny bush 10-30 cm high manages to germinate, bloom, and form seeds. The rest of the time, the viper onion rests and accumulates strength for the winter.

After the flowers fade, spherical or heart-shaped boxes with three chambers are formed. The seeds of the viper onion are very small, wrinkled, black. The seed quickly loses its germination capacity.

The Mediterranean is considered to be the birthplace of the primrose. The largest number of species is concentrated in this region. The range also includes Europe, western Asia and North Africa. Bright heads grow on grassy slopes, along forest edges, in mountainous areas covered with forest, near melting snow.

The introduction led to the naturalization of the Mediterranean in Australia and North America. About 10 species of mouse hyacinth have spread across Russia. They are more common on the Crimean Peninsula and the Caucasus. The population of the Caucasus is strenuously fighting against flower thickets that sprout at the planting sites of various crops.

Medicinal properties of muscari

The composition of primrose petals includes esters, alcohols, flavonoids, organic acids and ascorbic acid. The combination of these substances endowed mouse hyacinth with anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, bactericidal, and rejuvenating properties.

Attention! Official medicine does not use drugs based on plant bulbs. They contain plant alkaloids.

Traditional medicine uses only alcoholic infusions of petals and essential oil. This limitation is due to the fact that the perennial is poisonous. Inflorescences are used as medicinal raw materials. Alcohol extracts are used exclusively for external use. Use should be limited to children, pregnant women, and people with allergies. Inflammatory skin diseases, burns, open wounds, acne in Asian countries are treated with an alcohol extract of the petals.

For cosmetic purposes, treatment of bronchitis, diseases of the nervous system, increasing libido, essential oil is used. It is used for massage and aromatherapy. The range of its application extends to the field of cosmetology. The oil is added to cosmetics because it has anti-aging properties and easily removes fine wrinkles. The perfume industry has long included the honey notes of primrose in perfumes. It perfectly complements floral aromas. But annoying mosquitoes and cockroaches cannot tolerate fragrant inflorescences. Dried petals will also help keep moths out of your wardrobe.

Important! Experts recommend that gardeners with sensitive skin use rubber gloves to protect their hands. The juice from the bulbs can cause contact dermatitis.

Description of the plant

Muscari (Muscari Mill.) is a genus of plants from the Asparagus family. Other known names are mouse hyacinth, viper onion. These perennials have been around for a long time. Viperbow wreaths have been found placed on the heads of deceased Neanderthals.

The Latin name - Muscari comes from the Greek word moschos or English musk, which means musk, and was given because of the characteristic odor of some plant species.

In Western Europe, their name is associated with their shape. Single muscari flowers resemble small bells, collected in dense bunches on bare stalks - hence the English name Grape Hugo and the German Traubenhyazinthen, literally grape hyacinth. This name quite accurately characterizes the appearance of popular spring flowers - when the inflorescence is turned upside down, it resembles a bunch of grapes. The plant is closely related to hyacinth - both plants belong to the Asparagaceae family.

Everyone knows spring muscari flowers. Beautiful, intensely blue clusters appear in numerous gardens and parks.

Morphology:

• A perennial with a wintering organ in the form of an underground oval bulb with a brown shell, without adventitious bulbs, 2 cm in size.
• Leaves are sometimes grooved, glabrous, usually fleshy, 2-7 pieces, 10-15 cm long.
• Flowers – collected in clusters at the top of the shoot, multi-flowered and densely flowered. Flowers develop gradually from bottom to top. Closer to the top, the flowers are small, sterile, often of different colors. The flower includes 6 tepals, fused, curved at the apex, 6 stamens longer than the perianth, anthers dark blue, spherical. The ovary is green, with 3 chambers. Single pistil. The upper flowers are not capable of producing seeds, only the lower ones bear fruit.

• Fruit – blunt triangular capsules with 6 black spherical seeds.

When do muscari bloom?

The answer to the question of what months muscari bloom is not at all simple. It all depends on the type and time of planting. If the flowers are planted in the spring, they will bloom within a few weeks. Species that tolerate cold well can overwinter in the ground, and then bloom very early - the broad-leaved species even in February, other species in March. These are spring flowers that last a very long time. Muscari can also be grown in pots, in which case they bloom from spring to autumn.

Features of growing a plant

When growing a Mediterranean guest, it is important to provide it with a large area. The curtain spreads quite quickly. Flowerbed neighbors are selected taking into account the fact that you will only be replanting in a few years; it is better to plant together with other perennials.

Among the unique properties of the viper onion, it is worth noting its love of light, but the ability to grow in the shade. This feature is associated with the early flowering period. The bright heads will appear before the leaves emerge on trees shading the garden.

Ephemeroids are planted in small groups. A single flower will not give the desired effect. Like other representatives of bulbous crops, mouse hyacinth is used for early forcing. Even when there is snow outside the window, the house can be filled with the honey aroma of a flower.

Medicinal properties

Muscari petals have beneficial properties - they contain esters, flavonoids, organic acids, and ascorbic acid.

The plant is used as a wound-healing, bactericidal and aphrodisiac. Traditional medicine in Asian countries uses essential oil to treat bronchitis, massage, aromatherapy, colds, and insomnia.

The perfume industry also did not ignore this fragrant flower; its notes create the aroma of perfumes and are used in cosmetology.

At home, bouquets of mouse hyacinths are placed not only for beauty: the plant repels flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Cannot be used internally, the plant is poisonous.

Perennial muscari culture: types, varieties

Muscari is a genus of 44 species of bulbous perennials. The most common varieties found in culture are:

• Armenian (Colchian);
• Oshe (Tubergena);
• changeable;
• grape-shaped;
• crested;
• multi-flowered;
• broadleaf;
• large-fruited;
• pale;
• strange;
• racemose;
• pretty.

Some varieties growing in the Caucasus have high decorative qualities and are just being introduced into culture. These also include European species, which are rare in Russia due to their poor winter hardiness. The densely flowered, Azerbaijani, musky, blue, and white-green varieties are considered promising, as well as muscari Schowitz, Geldreich, which is neglected.

Know! Ornamental varieties planted by humans in the wild quickly go through the process of naturalization.

Spring in the southwestern Caucasus and northwestern Turkey gives local residents the opportunity to admire sky-blue primroses. By the beginning of May, multi-flowered clusters of flowers, similar to blue balls, are visible in various parts of the natural landscape. Each flower looks like a tiny barrel, 0.5 cm long. The place where the petals meet the bend is indicated by a constriction. The edge of the flower is jagged and white. At the top of the 20 cm long inflorescence there are several lighter buds that serve to attract insects. They do not produce seeds. Three-chambered boxes are tied only by fertile flowers. Flowering lasts 3 weeks.

The underground part is represented by an elongated bulb up to 3 cm long, with a diameter of 2-2.5 cm. The leaf rosette consists of 3-7 plates, tapering at the top. The height of the bush is 15-20 cm, the width of the lower part of the leaf is 5-8 mm. In winter, the leaf mass dies off, the bulbs have a high threshold of winter hardiness and do not need shelter.

This is interesting! High decorativeness and frost resistance attracted the attention of breeders, so more than 170 varieties were bred based on the species.

Gardeners prefer the Dutch cultivar Blue Spike. Its lush inflorescences consist of a large number of buds. This became possible thanks to the branched pedicels, each of which bears 2-3 flowers. In total, the erect peduncle bears up to 170 blue corollas. The bulbs of this variety are somewhat larger, reaching a diameter of 3.5-4 cm, but the number of children does not exceed 3 pieces. And there are no seeds on the peduncle, since all the buds are sterile. Blue Spike blooms 2 weeks later than Armenian, pleasing to the eye for 20 days. The leaf rosette reaches 20 cm in height, the peduncle is 5 cm higher. The advantages of the variety include unpretentiousness, high decorative qualities, winter hardiness, and the ability to be used for cutting.

The following varieties are no less popular:

1. Fantasy Creation with double buds that turn from greenish to bright blue.
2. Seifir with white-edged dark blue flowers in a pyramidal inflorescence.
3. Peppermint has pale blue petals edged with white teeth. It has a very long flowering period and the ability to grow quickly.
4. Artist is a cultivar up to 15 cm high. Its inflorescences turn from green to blue with a white border and emit an incredible fragrance.
5. Christmas Pearl is a hybrid with purple-blue barrels. Used for forcing, has international awards.
6. Superstar has an elongated inflorescence consisting of many white-edged deep blue buds.
7. Cambridge - a low bush blooms quite late, has azure corollas.
8. Dark Eyes forms dense heads with blue bells. A white border runs along the edge of the corolla. The bush reaches a height of 30 cm, blooms for 3-4 weeks.

Advice! In addition to being placed in the garden, bright heads can decorate a balcony or windowsill. For these purposes, planting in containers and early forcing are used.

The Tubergen variety got its name from the botanist who brought it from Iran to Europe. The bulbs are small, up to 2 cm long, about 10 mm in diameter. The rosette consists of 2-3 leaves 15 cm long and 5 mm wide. The flowering stem reaches a height of 25 cm and forms a dense blue inflorescence. The crown corollas are lighter. The petal teeth are white. The period of decorativeness falls in the middle of spring; by winter the deciduous mass fades. Excess moisture is detrimental to perennials.

The Magic variety series is very popular. The bulbs of this cultivar produce a large number of flowering stems. The Ocean variety has blue petals with a white crown on the inflorescence. White Magic has rounded snow-white heads, while Blue Magic has a flower brush that gradually changes color from the crown. Snow-white corollas are located on top, then light blue and sky blue.

The changeable viper onion has settled in the wild on the grassy slopes of the Mediterranean. It has large bulbs 3 cm long and 25 mm in diameter. The leaf cover, 30–40 cm long, forms a basal rosette of 5–6 narrow plates. The flowers are oblong, blue-violet with white teeth. The edges of the bud are curved inward. Decorative for 3 weeks in mid-spring. Used for landscaping in central Russia and Uzbekistan.

Know! Most species, in addition to being unpretentious, have good winter hardiness.

The cluster-shaped variety grows in the mountainous areas of Europe, where it has been widely used to decorate gardens for more than four hundred years. The small narrow heads consist of small blue-violet barrels with white teeth. The height of the bush is 10-12 cm, the leaves are narrow. Blooms in early May, decorative for up to 3 weeks. The garden form Alba has snow-white petals, while Carneum has a light pink corolla.

The crested appearance looks quite unusual. His arrows with blue-violet tufts will certainly attract everyone's attention. The number of buds in a brush reaches hundreds. Grows in meadows and forest edges of Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia. Often turns into a weed.

The corollas of fertile flowers are colored brownish with a lighter edge. The shape of the perianth is pitcher-shaped. The arrow appears at the beginning of summer, gradually growing, reaching a height of 50-70 cm. There are 3-4 leaves, but when cultivated in a fertile substrate, the number increases. It also becomes possible to see 2 inflorescences. Dense bulbs rarely produce offspring, but abundant fruiting allows the crop to be grown from seeds.

On a note! The hybrid "Plumosum" has a larger number of sterile buds and is distinguished by the purple color of the crest. It looks great surrounded by decorative deciduous crops with a bluish tint to the blades.

The multi-flowered species is widely distributed in the mountainous meadows of Transcaucasia and Turkey. But it is used for landscaping even in the Moscow region. A bright blue head appears among the long foliage in mid-spring. The length of the leaf blades is 20-25 cm, the flowering stems are only 10-15 cm tall. A pale blue edging runs along the edge of the tubular rims.

The broad-leaved variety has gained incredible popularity due to its external resemblance to hyacinths. Sheet width up to 25 mm. Widely-lanceolate plates 15 cm long “embrace” a deep purple peduncle. Arrow height 22-26 cm, cylindrical shape. Each inflorescence consists of 70-100 elongated buds. The homeland of this smaller copy of hyacinth is Asia Minor, so the exotic is heat-loving in nature and is suitable for cultivation in the south of Russia. Decorative for 20-30 days from mid-spring. In cool climates it is used for forcing.

Another heat-loving species is large-fruited. In Turkey and Greece it blooms in May. A brown edging runs along the edge of the yellow petals. The height of the bush is 20-23 cm. Recommended as a potted crop, overwinters indoors.

This is interesting! The combination of bright yellow open buds and closed purple ones attracts the attention of flower growers. The species is promising for the southern regions.

Quite a rare species - pale. Grows in the mountainous areas of the Caucasus. A very delicate and beautiful ephemeroid 12-17 cm high. The arrow appears by the end of May, has a pale blue color with a white skirt along the edge. The brush contains up to 40 bell flowers. Flowering is short-lived, only 10-12 days. The covering scales of the bulb have a pinkish tint. It reproduces poorly by vegetative and generative means. It has a white-flowered form, as well as the White Rose Beauty variety with a two-color white and pink corolla and the pale blue Blue Sky variety.

The strange variety is very attractive. Her homeland is Transcaucasia, where the decorative period falls at the end of April. Dark purple heads 2 cm long with elongated flowers delight the eye for 3-4 weeks. The height of the perennial is 10-12 cm.

Racemose ephemeroid is widespread in Europe, the Caucasus, Crimea and the Mediterranean. Prefers to grow on the slopes of warm meadows, among thickets of bushes. The rosette consists of 2-6 leaf blades 10-12 cm long. The flowering stem with dark blue oblong flowers reaches the same height. Decorative for 20-30 days, the flowering period falls in May. It has been used for landscaping for almost 450 years and withstands harsh winters with dignity.

Know! Sosnovsky's species attracts with large barrel-shaped flowers with a white skirt. Petals are dark blue. The culture resembles the Armenian viper onion in appearance, but prefers to grow on a rocky substrate.

The homeland of muscari pulchellum (pretty) is the Mediterranean. Bright blue heads appear in winter. The inflorescence is small but very dense. The exotic is characterized by short stature, reaching a height of 8-12 cm.

Description of muscari

It is a perennial flower with cylindrical, oblong or barrel-shaped perianths. Blooms in April - May - 20 days. Flowers with six fused petals, collected in a brush, which is located on a high stem, in blue, white, light blue, azure, and cornflower blue shades. They have a subtle pleasant aroma. Basal, pointed leaves with parallel veining form rosettes up to 17 cm. Oval bulbs with light outer scales, 20 mm in diameter, 15-25 cm long.

Muscari landing

In the wild, viper onions grow beautifully without human intervention, annually illuminating forest clearings with blue clouds. But varietal varieties will still require a little attention from the gardener. First of all, you need to choose a place for the flower carpet and plant it correctly.

When to plant

The culture is unpretentious, but it will take some time to take root. This process works best in cool weather with constant moisture. Therefore, planting work is traditionally carried out in the fall until mid-October. Spring planting of bulbs is also possible. It is carried out very early, as soon as the snow cover melts and the ground warms up to 5⁰C.

It is much more convenient to plant in the fall, since the bulk of the work in the garden plot has already been completed. Such periods are also associated with the propagation of perennials. Daughter bulbs ripen by autumn, so planting material is easy to purchase. When buying bulbs, remember that they must correspond to the dimensions described above.

Remember! There should be no areas of rotting, flabby, traces of mold or injury on the planting material.

For spring planting, grown seedlings are often used. It is sold in nurseries or garden centers. It is better to plant such material in late April or early May. Carefully inspect the seedlings for diseases. A sign that should alert you is the presence of yellow streaks on the foliage. From a pot, transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method.

Selecting a location

When choosing a location, it is better to give preference to areas protected from strong winds. A slight slope is welcome. The ephemeroid develops well in direct sunlight, but light shading will not harm it. But stagnation of water can lead to rotting of the bulbs, so planting primroses in lowlands is contraindicated. Try to match the snake onion with other perennials, but give it room to grow into a clump. When massed, mouse hyacinths look more impressive.

Soil for muscari

The condition of the soil for the proper development of the Mediterranean guest is only partly important. It is preferable to plant on loose fertile substrates with a slightly acidic environment. Hydrogen index 5.7-6.5. The more fertile the soil, the larger the bulbs will form and the more magnificent the flowering will be. Loams flavored with humus are ideal.

Attention! Clay and peat substrates are not suitable for normal development - the former provoke stagnation of moisture and contribute to the deterioration of the underground part of the plant, and from the latter the moisture evaporates too quickly.

If the soil does not meet the requirements, replace it to a depth of 15-20 cm. To prepare the site, add humus or mature compost. For each square meter of flower bed, take 5 kg of fertilizer.

Preparation of planting material

Before planting, the bulbs are subject to culling and mandatory disinfection. Select only dense, healthy specimens. For etching, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Planting material is kept for 30-60 minutes. You can soak the onions in a solution of Karbofos or Fitosporin, prepared according to the instructions. Disinfection will destroy spores of fungal pathogens.

How to plant muscari correctly

A few planting instructions will help you organize the process correctly:

1. A few days before the planned event, dig up the area to the depth of a spade bayonet. When digging, add mature compost or humus in an amount of 5 kg per square meter of area.
2. Prepare grooves or holes, the depth depends on the size of the bulbs. Large material is planted at a depth of 5-8 cm, small material 3 cm.
3. Planting density depends on the desired result. Usually mouse hyacinth is planted in groups of 20-30 individuals, but compacted planting of up to 200 individuals per square meter is also possible.
4. The day before the event, water the flowerbed. Add a 1-2 cm layer of sand to the bottom of the hole to ensure sufficient drainage.
5. Plant the crop in increments of 4-8 cm, depending on the size of the planting material.
6. Fill the grooves with substrate and compact them a little.
7. Water the crop generously with warm water.

Remember! Excessive deepening of the bulbs will complicate the germination process, and too shallow a depth will lead to freezing. It is optimal if there is 2 cm of soil above the onion.

Features of care

Caring for muscari is quite simple, so even a novice gardener can grow this plant. Such a flower should be watered only at the very beginning of active growth, but at this time most often the soil contains a large amount of moisture after the melting of the snow cover or after heavy spring rains. When the plant is at rest, it does not need watering. Systematic watering is needed only if the winter period turned out to be little snow or there was very little rain in the spring.

If the soil on the site contains a small amount of nutrients, then there is a need to add organic fertilizer to the soil. So, in the autumn, during digging, you can add compost or humus to the soil, while 5 kg of fertilizer is taken per 1 m2. If such fertilizer is systematically applied to the soil in the autumn, then muscari can be grown in the same area for 10 years. However, in the end, such plants will still have to be replanted.

Bloom

Flowering lasts a little longer than 20 days. At this time, you just need to regularly loosen the soil surface (after watering), and you need to be very careful not to injure the bulb. It is also necessary to carry out timely weeding and, if necessary, pick off fading flowers. If you notice that over time, the flowers of the plant began to lose their former decorative effect, this means that the muscari needs to be replanted.

Transfer

Muscari can be propagated vegetatively using pups separated from the mother bulb. In this way, the plant is propagated in the fall at the same time that the site is being dug up (from the middle to the last days of October). Replanting should only be done on bushes that have been growing in the same place for 5 to 6 years. However, you can understand that muscari needs seating by its appearance. The bulbs must be dug up and then separated from the mother children (there are up to 30 of them). Then the bulbs will need to be planted in the manner described above.

Reproduction of muscari

The vegetative method of propagation is described above. In addition, muscari reproduces very well by self-sowing. In order to control the number of these flowers after they have faded, it is recommended to remove all flower stalks, leaving a few if necessary. When the seeds are ripe, they will need to be collected. It should be remembered that they remain viable for 12 months. Sowing should be done in open ground in the autumn, and the seeds should be buried 10–20 mm. Shoots will appear in the spring, and they will look like thin threads. Flowering of muscari grown from seed is observed only after 2 or 3 years.

Diseases and pests

Very often this plant suffers from mosaic disease, and it occurs due to the onion yellow dwarf virus. In an infected specimen, a green mosaic can be seen on the surface of the leaf blades, and they themselves become narrowed, the flower arrow is shortened, and the growth of the plant itself is inhibited. In some cases, muscari becomes infected with the usual cucumber mosaic; in this case, the leaves become deformed, and light green streaks and spots appear on their surface. The carriers of these viruses are aphids, and if it ends up in the bulb, it will remain there. In this regard, all diseased plants must be dug up and destroyed to stop the spread of the virus. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to promptly destroy aphids on the site. To do this, you can use a soap solution. To prepare it, 2 large spoons of soap (Fairy, Gala) need to be mixed with 0.5 liters of water. When spider mites appear, plants should be treated with products of the avermectin group (Aktofit, Vertimek, Fitoverm); spraying should be carried out at a temperature of 18 degrees, while strictly adhering to the instructions.

Muscari care

Even a beginner can handle caring for a Mediterranean guest. The culture is undemanding and can grow without human intervention, but you can only get a harmonious flowerbed with lush heads with some effort.

Watering

At the beginning of the growing season, exotic plants require frequent, abundant watering to prevent stagnation of water. Irrigation is especially important in the south, where spring is swift and the soil dries out quickly. In the middle zone, it is important to focus on weather conditions. A prolonged spring period with long-term retention of moisture in the soil contributes to the best growth of the crop. By the time the flowering stems wither, watering is gradually reduced. When the bush enters a dormant period, excessive moisture threatens to rot, so it is not customary to water the ephemeral plant after flowering.

Feeding and fertilizers

You can feed the jacket in spring or autumn if you are going to separate the babies. Organic matter is used as fertilizer, since primroses do not particularly need mineral complexes. Liquid mineral fertilizers are used only when cultivating in containers and forcing. Then fertilizing is applied every 2 weeks, because the soil in a closed space is quickly depleted. In the spring, humus is poured under the bushes, and in the fall, fertilizer is applied for digging.

Know! If you feed the clump annually with organic fertilizers, it can grow in one place for 7-10 years, after which it will require rejuvenation.

Planting a plant

Phlox flowers: varieties, what they look like, types

Before you start planting muscari, you need to choose the optimal site. The advantage of the plant is that it blooms when the other plants do not even have blossoming foliage. For this reason, it is not necessary to choose a place with good lighting for muscari, because it will have enough light even next to trees.

It is important to know! The flower is suitable for fertile, loose soil, which perfectly allows moisture and air to pass through.

The acid content should be minimal, otherwise liming should be used. Clay soil is not suitable for muscari. Bulb growth is greatly accelerated in fertile soil fermented with humus or compost. In addition, the resulting flowers will be bright and large. If you regularly feed muscari, it can grow in one place for at least a decade without replanting.

Blue muscari flowers with a white border close-up

Planting by seeds

If you plan to plant a plant using seeds, then the material is sown immediately after it has been collected. It is worth understanding that propagation in this way is not suitable for every variety. The resulting plants will not bear varietal characteristics. Within a year, seed germination will be significantly reduced.

Seed material is sown immediately in open ground. The depth of the hole for planting should be no more than 2 cm. In winter, the plantings will undergo stratification under natural conditions, and in the spring the first shoots will appear. Over the course of several months, the bulb will form and the greenery will grow. Flowering can only be expected in the second or third year of planting.

Planting seedlings

Planting muscari using bulbs is the most preferred propagation option. When the soil is well prepared, planting can begin. The work should be completed no later than the end of October, before frost sets in. In this case, the bulb will have time to take root well and become stronger.

Before planting, the bulbs are left in a room with cool air that does not exceed +9 ℃. In the future, it will be easier for the bulb to adapt to a new place. Right before planting, the material should be soaked in a medium-strength manganese solution for an hour. Immediately after this, the bulbs can be safely placed in the soil.

Due to the small size of the bulbs, it is better to plant them in a trench, the depth of which will be no more than 8 cm. Experienced gardeners sprinkle a 2 cm thick layer of river sand at the bottom of such a trench. This creates good drainage and protection from many pathogenic bacteria. The distance between plantings should be at least 7 cm. During the planting period, it is important that the ground warms up to +18 ℃.

Muscari when and how to propagate

The ephemeroid reproduces vegetatively by separating children, as well as by seed. Wild individuals often reproduce by self-sowing, but many hybrids do not form seeds, so vegetative propagation is preferable.

The baby onions will be trimmed in September. To do this, the curtain is dug up and the material is sorted. Large specimens are immediately planted in a permanent place; they will bloom in the spring. The children are planted on a training bed in a little shade. They are grown for 1-2 years, planted in increments of 2-3 cm. Separating the children allows you to rejuvenate the clump; it is carried out every 3-5 years.

Seed propagation is used extremely rarely, since seedlings will develop to adulthood in 3-4 years. They will also require special attention from the gardener. Seeds are sown before winter so that they undergo natural stratification. Sealing is carried out to a depth of 10-15 mm. Thread-like seedlings will appear in the spring. They are carefully monitored, removing weeds, avoiding stagnation or moisture deficiency, and crust formation. You can plant shoots that appear as a result of self-seeding, but usually faded flower stalks are removed.

Know! The scientific name for the generative reproduction of wild relatives is myrmecochory. The seeds have glands containing fat that attract ants. Insects carry seeds far from where they grow.

Growing and care

Muscari in the garden and pot do not have great growing requirements. They grow well in any type of soil except dry and poor soil. They are not afraid of drought, they are not afraid of moisture, they can grow in full sun and in slight shade.

The flower will grow well under trees, especially those that shed their leaves for the winter. Then the bulbs will be better protected from the cold.

Reproduction, transplantation

Muscari can be left in one place. There is no need to replant them, but it is worth digging up the bulbs every year in the summer to inspect, clean and separate the baby bulbs.

Propagation of muscari is very easy, the bulbs can be divided without problems. Reproduction allows you to get many new plants that can be planted in a permanent place or after cooling in pots.

You can also propagate muscari by seeds; they often self-sow. Left to their own devices, the plants quickly spread across the area, forming an increasingly dense “carpet” of flowers. If you plant small adventitious bulbs, you must wait 2-3 years for them to grow.

Fertilizer

Before planting muscari, you should spread compost on the substrate or apply a multi-component fertilizer for flowering plants. To ensure intensive flowering, it is worth applying multi-component fertilizers during the season. A mineral, liquid or granular fertilizer for dissolution in water is better suited. It is simply added to the water during watering. This way the plant will keep flowering longer and will look very good. Fertilization is carried out only from April to the end of May. When the flowers dry, feeding the muscari will no longer be needed.

Watering

Growing muscari is not difficult, but you need to carefully monitor watering, especially in spring. Intensive flowering greatly depletes the plants, so at first they need water and nutrients. Later, watering muscari is necessary only in case of prolonged droughts.

In case of exceptional drought, it is recommended to thoroughly wet the substrate once a week so that the water is absorbed to a depth of 7-10 cm.

Breaking off inflorescences after flowering

Bulbous plants accumulate in the bulbs all the nutrients necessary for the growth of the above-ground parts. The better the bulb develops, the more beautiful the flowering will be. Removing the inflorescences after flowering promotes better bulb growth.

Diseases, pests

Muscari are rarely affected by pests or diseases. There is no need to spray the plants with any insecticides.

The only serious danger for them is a fungal infection caused by excess moisture in the substrate or lack of sun. Fungal infection leads to rot, which can cause the leaves to yellow, the flowers to become covered in a white, cotton-like coating, and the bulbs to die. Rotten flowers should be dug out of the ground as soon as possible and thrown away to limit the further spread of the disease.

It is also worth using protective openwork baskets for planting bulbous plants so that the bulbs are not eaten by voles and other rodents.

Care in autumn, wintering

Muscaris quite often produce leaves in the fall, both newly planted and old ones planted in earlier years. This is not a dangerous phenomenon, although in severe frost, especially without snow, it is better to cover the plants with spruce or other coniferous branches.

Muscari do not freeze out in the conditions of the Moscow region and the central zone; they winter well in the garden in open ground.

However, the plant requires a period of rest. Leaving the bulbs in the ground is not a mistake, and the plants will likely produce flowers again.

Summer care after flowering, storage of bulbs

It is better to dig up muscari bulbs in the summer, when flowering is over. After digging, they need to be cleaned very carefully. All damaged, rotten bulbs should be thrown away to prevent the development of fungal diseases.

The bulbs should be stored all summer until autumn. Then you can plant them in the ground. These spring flowers can be grown in one place for 4-5 years, but then replanting is necessary, as the risk of fungal diseases increases. It is recommended to dig up the bulbs every few years, when bushes with a large number of leaves begin to form and flowering decreases. Transplanting into soil outdoors does not require cooling, but potted bulbs do.

Growing in pots

Muscari in a pot have no higher demands than their garden counterparts. They need to be watered regularly, especially if they are standing in the sun on a balcony or terrace or in a house above a radiator.

A sign that watering is needed is when the top layer of soil dries out.

The plant has no special requirements for the type or size of the pot. Container plants can be planted very densely. The flower is rarely affected by diseases and pests, although feeding may be required. During flowering, it is worth adding an additional dose of complex fertilizer for flowering plants.

Muscari does not like too high temperatures. The optimal temperature for plant development is 11-18 degrees, so it is better to find a cool room for it. At high temperatures, flowers do not bloom.

What to do after flowering?

When potted muscari flowers fade, there is no need to throw them away. They can be a decoration for the garden next season. We cut off the faded flowers and take the plants into a cool room. Water them sparingly until the leaves begin to turn yellow. When the leaves dry, remove the bulbs from the ground, put them in boxes, and cover them with peat. Store them in a dry basement until autumn. In September, we plant the bulbs in the garden (at a depth of 6-8 cm), preferably in large groups of 20-25 bulbs - then they look most impressive.

Specifics of planting and caring for muscari in Siberia

The Siberian region has an inhospitable climate with cold early winters. The autumn landing of the Mediterranean guest is carried out towards the end of summer. In order for roots to form, the temperature of the substrate should not fall below 14-15⁰C. If planted in August, the crop will have time to take root before severe frosts. It is recommended to place the planting material in a cool room for 3-4 days. This measure promotes rapid rooting.

Do not neglect the application of fertilizers, because the growing season in the risky farming zone is shortened. Organic feeding will help the bulb gain strength for a successful winter. Frequent irrigation is not required, since in spring in Siberia the soil remains wet for a long time. With the arrival of winter, young individuals must be mulched with humus to avoid freezing.

Advice! Container cultivation of viper onions is also possible, then the pots are brought indoors for the winter. Heat-loving individuals are grown in this way, or the bulbs are removed annually for winter storage at home.

Growing muscari at home

Muscari is often grown indoors. Prepare the bulbs:

• They are stored for three months at +5 °C degrees.
• Then at +9 °C for more than 30 days.
• Planted in a container with drainage (soil made of sand, peat, compost) at a depth of 2 cm.
• Keep at +5 °C for two weeks.
• Then they put it in the light, where it is + 10 °C.
• After three days, increase to +15 °C.

High temperatures shorten the flowering period. Watered with moderately soft water, it blooms after 14 days.

Loves bright lighting, high humidity, placed on eastern and western window sills.

Muscari flowering

The ephemeroid remains decorative for 3-4 weeks. During this period, he will not need special care. Towards the end of flowering, reduce watering, regularly loosen the top layer of soil, being careful not to damage the underground part. Be sure to pull out the weeds. It's up to you to decide what to do with the faded arrows. If you leave them, the likelihood of self-seeding will increase and the decorative qualities will suffer. If it is necessary to collect seeds, leave 1-2 heads, wrapping them in gauze. If you notice a deterioration in the decorative qualities of the curtain, plant the children in the fall.

Flower care after flowering

When the decorative period comes to an end, remove the wilted heads, but do not touch the foliage. Thanks to the green leaves, the underground part will be able to accumulate enough nutrients for the production of children and wintering. You can help the exotic by adding liquid fertilizer based on potassium and phosphorus. When the leaf mass withers, the need for watering will disappear. Remove dry leaves. If necessary, rejuvenate the jacket.

Preparing for winter

The bulbous perennial is winter-hardy and can withstand even harsh winters without shelter. Before wintering, remove plant debris from the site. Mulch the young shoots with peat.

Viper onions are often planted with other bulbous relatives. The underground part of these plants, according to rodents, is a real delicacy. To protect the flowerbed from damage by voles, do not use straw as mulch and be sure to lay spruce branches on top of the bed. Using traps and sprinkling the soil with hot pepper won’t hurt either.

Advice! If you choose an imperial hazel grouse as a neighbor to a mouse hyacinth, the mice will forget the way to the flowerbed. In addition, the color scheme of these exotics harmonizes perfectly.

Do I need to dig up the bulbs every year?

Winter-hardy perennials do not need annual digging of bulbs. If you are worried whether heat-loving species will survive the winter, it is better to dig up the planting material and store it at home. But container cultivation will make it easier to cultivate exotics. With this method of growing, it is enough to simply bring the pot into a cool room.

How to properly store bulbs

To store planting material indoors, use the following rules:

• remove the bulbs only after the foliage has withered;
• Before storing, be sure to dry the bulbs under a canopy;
• store the material in boxes with wet sand or peat;
• weekly inspection will protect against spoilage; be sure to throw away bulbs that have rotted or become soft;
• maintain a humidity level of 70%, temperature background 15-17⁰C.

But it’s better to completely avoid removing the bulbs from the soil.

Use of muscari flowers for decorative purposes

Muscari is an ideal plant for creating mini-flower beds for the garden, fenced with low fences, birch branches or decorative pots. Blue muscari perfectly serve as a fence along garden paths or serve as an unusual border along paths. They can be used as a separate array, or planted under trees or shrubs, to create original compositions together with other flowers.

Muscari goes well with many colors and can be used to create original compositions.

Muscari forcing is also used for decorative purposes - artificially stimulating the flowering process in the off-season. For this, the largest bulbs are selected. They are dug up in July at a temperature of 15 degrees, dried and stored until the beginning of September. In the period from September to January, rooting of the bulbs is done. To do this, pour drainage into the bottom of the pot and plant the plant in a nutritious soil mixture consisting of sawdust, humus, leaf soil and a small amount of sand.

For the winter, plants are placed in a basement or greenhouse insulated with sawdust. In January, during the germination of sprouts, the flowers are moved for a couple of days to a room where the temperature remains no higher than 5-8 degrees. The second stage of movement is forcing at a temperature of 15-18 degrees. At this time, watering is carried out moderately, using warm soft water. This helps speed up the flowering process.

How to use flowers in the design of a summer cottage

There are several options for using muscari to decorate a summer cottage. The picturesque trio of blue muscari, forget-me-nots and white tulips looks beautiful. The plant can be planted in a small bucket and displayed in a flowerbed composition.

Muscari looks good in a flowerbed composition.

Next to blue flowers, for example, orange imperial hazel grouse will look beautiful. Planting under bare shrubs, such as Arabis or Iberica, will help create the most comfortable conditions for flowers. They also fill the empty spaces formed between tulips and daffodils.

How to replant a flower correctly

Transplanting primroses has two goals - reproduction and rejuvenation of the clump. The procedure is carried out 5-7 years after planting, but the timing varies depending on the condition of the flowerbed. If the decorative appearance is lost or excessive growth occurs, exotic plants can be planted earlier, for example, after 3-4 years. If the Mediterranean guest feels well, the curtain can be left untouched for up to 10 years.

Plants are dug up and bulbs are removed from the ground. After sorting, they are seated in a new place in accordance with the requirements described above.

Remember! Be sure to disinfect the bulbs before planting them in a new location.

The use of plants in landscape design

Plants are a wonderful addition to the spring garden.

1. To maintain a flowering area, other late-blooming plants can be added to the nutmegs.
2. They look great in combination with clay garden figurines.
3. They are often planted as hedges along paths and paths. A beautifully flowering border will be an elegant and discreet addition to your landscape design.
4. In addition to growing muskmelon in the garden, these plants are also grown indoors as potted flowers.

The nuances of planting muscari in open ground in the fall

Regardless of the season, planting work is carried out according to the same scheme. Don't forget the following rules:

• pickle the bulbs in a solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide;
• Place sand or pebble drainage at the bottom of the holes;
• a layer of soil from the top of the onion to the soil surface of at least 2 cm;
• planting is carried out in groups in sunny areas with a slightly acidic environment;
• do not forget to apply organic fertilizers.

If your chosen one is a broad-leaved species or Tubergena, do not neglect mulching the root collar.

Reproduction methods

Shrub cinquefoil - what it looks like, types and varieties

In addition to the vegetative variant, this plant can reproduce by self-sowing. For this reason, flowers grow uncontrollably throughout the area. To prevent such flower reproduction, you can remove the flower stalks after flowering and leave a few for the seeds to ripen. Ripe seeds are collected and sown in open ground to a depth of no more than 2 cm. Already the next spring you can see thin shoots, which indicate that the bulb has begun to form. Flowering from young plants can be expected no earlier than 2 years of age. Bushes are easy to propagate.

Pale blue muscari planted as a houseplant

Muscari armeniacum (Armenian) planting and care in open ground photo

Muscari armeniacum is a frequent guest in Russian flowerbeds. Its cultivation has no special features and is carried out in accordance with the recommendations described in the article. But it is worth knowing that there is another common method of cultivating mouse hyacinth. It involves planting under a layer of lawn. After awakening, the stems will emerge through the layer of turf, forming a luxurious carpet of flowers.

The process looks like this. A section of turf is cut out on the selected part of the lawn. The depth of removal of the turf layer is 7-8 cm. The scrap is carefully set aside. A few more centimeters of soil are removed from the hole and thoroughly mixed with compost. The bulbs are planted in the prepared substrate. Density depends on the design idea. The surface is covered with a removed piece of lawn and watered abundantly.

Attention! With this method of cultivation, it is impossible to cut the grass until the mouse hyacinth rosettes wither.

Growing mouse hyacinth in the garden - what do you need to know?

Mouse hyacinth is a spring primrose that blooms in April and ends in early May.
The main feature of this flower is its strong but very pleasant aroma. Most often used for temporary decoration of the first rows of flower beds. After flowering ends, they are removed, since immediately after flowering the whole plant gradually dries out.

Excellent companions for this plant will be:

• hellebores;
• hazel grouse;
• tulips;
• daffodils.

But unlike the listed flowers, mouse hyacinth bulbs tolerate low temperatures well , so they do not need to be dug up for the winter. In addition, they do not need to be replanted annually, since their bulbs develop quite slowly.

When purchasing plant bulbs, you must be very careful, otherwise you may purchase material that is unsuitable for planting.

Good bulbs look like this:

• no green sprouts;
• dense to the touch;
• without any stains or damage;
• the top layer completely encloses the bulb.

It is important to know that it is not recommended to buy flowering mouse hyacinth and sprouted bulbs, as they are not suitable for replanting.

Pests and diseases of muscari

Pests bypass the Mediterranean guest, and the only diseases that pose a danger are plant viruses - onion yellow dwarf, cucumber mosaic. Stunted growth, shortening of flowering stems, too narrow leaf blades, the presence of streaks or a mosaic pattern on the foliage are dangerous signs of infection. There is no escape from the disease, so you will have to remove the diseased specimen and burn it away from the site. Treating, destroying aphids, and purchasing individuals only from a nursery will help prevent infection.

If an aphid has settled near a flower, do not hesitate to destroy it. Treat your flowerbed neighbors with soapy water or use insecticides.

It is extremely rare for spider mites to settle on leaves. They are detected by the presence of yellow specks on the foliage and threads of silvery cobwebs. The colony is destroyed with garlic infusion, Fitoverm, Aktara.

Diseases and pests, methods of prevention and treatment

The most dangerous insect pest for muscari is aphids. She not only sucks all the juices out of him, but is also a carrier of dangerous diseases.

When infected with yellow dwarfism, the following symptoms appear::

• general growth inhibition;
• narrowed leaf shape;
• shortened flower arrow;
• mosaic on green leaves.

The second common disease of mouse hyacinth of a viral nature is cucumber mosaic, which manifests itself by the appearance of deformations, streaks and spots on the leaves.

Unfortunately, at present, viral diseases in plants cannot be treated. The only way to prevent the spread is to destroy the affected bush and timely treatment against aphids with any insecticide intended for this purpose.

Somewhat less frequently, the plant is attacked by spider mites . You can get rid of it by treating with Fitoverm, Vetimek, Actofit and others belonging to the avermectin group.

Muscari in landscape design, combination with other plants

Blue, lilac, white and pink primrose caps are widely used in garden design. Experts recommend planting the Mediterranean guest on alpine slides, lawns, and flower beds consisting of several tiers. Rocky rock gardens, narrow border edging, tinning of fruit tree trunks - landscape designers have found such uses for the flower.

Advice! Pots or flowerpots with mouse hyacinths will decorate a balcony, window sill, or terrace. A combination of forget-me-nots, pansies or daisies will complement the composition.

Peonies, hyacinths, hazel grouse, and daffodils are suitable neighbors for viper onions. They are planted in the background. In the immediate vicinity you can plant scillas, anemones, crocuses, dwarf tulips, and primroses.

Types of indoor muscari

For growing in pots, only two types of muscari and their charming varieties are used.

Fragrant muscari (Muscari racemosum) is a medium-sized, very beautiful species that captivates with its arched, numerous, narrow semi-cylindrical leaves and medium-sized cylindrical inflorescences with dark ultramarine flowers. This is the most fragrant species, although its aroma is not as intrusive as that of some garden species.

Common muscari (Muscari botryoides) differs from the previous species in linear, flat and erect leaves with a darker color. This is a non-fragrant species, with a maximum height of peduncles of up to 12 cm. It is distinguished by a much greater variety of colors, including purple and white, and in modern hybrids, pink options.

Muscari is traditionally sold in the form of sets of bulbs - one variety or a mixture of varieties. For indoor culture, you can select varieties based on color, size, and leaf width. The most popular plant varieties include:

• blue-colored variety “Flight of Fancy” ,
• blue-colored faded “Mint Candy” ,
• snow-white "Alba "
• pink “Pink Dawn” ,
• whitish-blue “Valeria” ,
• pale sky blue variety "Florida" ,
• watercolor variety, with a transition from pale blue at the top flowers to a dark blue bottom of the inflorescences “Magic Ocean” ,
• ultramarine variety “Paradox” ,
• golden "Golden fragrant" .

Fragrant muscari (Muscari racemosum). © Acid Pix

Common muscari (Muscari botryoides). © ted762563

How to plant a flower to create a beautiful combination in the garden

To get harmonious compositions, it is important to choose the right neighbors for the exotic. They are selected taking into account the nature of the growing season of the Mediterranean guest. Since the ephemeroid does not retain its decorative appearance for long, its unsightly clearings are masked by planting later flowers nearby - awl-shaped phlox, hostas, woodworm, ground covers. By the time they actively grow, the tops of the perennial will already wither.

European landscape designers recommend a continuous carpet composition combining multi-colored varieties. In parks you can find mouse hyacinths along the paths. Clearings under deciduous trees look harmonious. Such a neighborhood will benefit fruit crops, because during flowering the Mediterranean guest attracts many pollinators.

Beautiful compositions are obtained when planting snake onions on an alpine hill or rock garden; you can fill the flower bed with decorative stones.

Conclusion

Growing muscari in open ground is very simple, the main thing is to follow the planting and care rules described in the article. This fragrant, bright flower will delight you with its presentable appearance for a long time, and every year herald the arrival of spring.

Preparing for winter

When the plant has bloomed, it’s time to start preparing it for the winter. All flower stalks from the flower bed are cut off, and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied to the soil. Watering at this time is reduced as much as possible. When all the foliage dries out, moisturizing is stopped altogether. In the fall, the area must be dug up, and five-year-old plants must be planted and, if necessary, pruned. Those bushes that will not be replanted should be carefully inspected and old leaves removed from them. Transplanted or seeded muscari or mouse hyacinth are sprinkled with a layer of mulch.

Bulb storage

When to dig up a muscari plant for the winter? It is not necessary to dig up the plant bulbs.

Bouquet of muscari

In order for the material to be preserved for subsequent planting, you need to know several important rules:

• You need to dig up the bulb after the leaves of the flower begin to dry out;
• The bulbs should dry for several days, after which they are placed in damp sand or peat;
• Once a week of planting, you need to check and remove rotten or damaged bulbs;
• The air humidity in which the material is stored must be at least 70%, and the temperature is about +17 ℃.

You should know! Muscari are planted in the fall, so there is no need to store the bulbs until spring.

Planting for forcing

The soil for planting muscari is light and simple in composition - peat or compost with the addition of sand, deoxidized to a neutral reaction (pH 7.0) with dolomite flour or charcoal.

The containers for planting are not very high, but must have drainage holes; 1-2 cm of sand is poured onto the bottom for drainage, then filled 2/3 with moist soil. Plant 5-9 bulbs (at least) in each - muscari inflorescences look better in mass planting. The distance between the bulbs is 0.5-1 cm, i.e., you can plant almost closely. For example, 6-8 bulbs with a circumference of 9-10 cm, or up to 10 pieces, are placed in a pot with a diameter of 12 cm. 7-8 cm in circumference.

Many of you probably purchased Dutch forcing and saw that the bulbs were almost on the surface, only rooted in the ground. Industrial forcing is carried out in conditions of high humidity and using a slightly different technology aimed at maximizing the use of greenhouse space. When forcing at home, the bulbs still need to be buried 1-2 cm into the soil, leaving only the tops outside, otherwise when rooting they are pushed to the surface by the roots.

After planting, the bulbs are watered again with water or a 0.2% solution of calcium nitrate (the second is more desirable, as it makes the stems and leaves stronger).

Muscari – photo

Most often found in nature are blue and light blue muscari, but there are also other varieties of the most spectacular shades. And even multi-colored or terry types. Just admire it!

Photo: pinterest.ru

Photo: pixabay.com Photo: brickseek.com

Photo: fedsp.com

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Photo: na-dache.pro

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Features of agricultural technology

The plant is unpretentious and grows well in sun and partial shade. When planting, the bulbs are embedded in the soil to a depth of 6-8 cm at a distance of 10 cm. The soil should be loose, fertile, and have good water permeability. The bulbs cannot tolerate stagnant moisture and can rot.

Plants respond well to fertilizing with organic fertilizers, for example, adding compost. In this case, it is not advisable to use mineral fertilizers. In rich soils, larger bulbs form and flowering time increases.

To increase the duration of flowering, you can arrange varieties with different flowering periods. With the right selection of varieties, you can admire muscari from April to June.

Bulbs are planted in the fall. They tolerate severe frosts well and even winter in the middle zone without shelter. Over the course of a season, a whole nest grows from one bulb, which can contain up to 10 small bulbs. The plant grows very quickly and is easily propagated by division . Transplantation is carried out every 5-7 years, but if necessary, you can divide the plants every 3 years to get a larger number of specimens. Muscari can also reproduce by self-sowing.

Botanical description of the flower

A bulbous perennial with simple basal leaves collected in a rosette. The bulbs are small, up to 2 cm in diameter and up to 3 cm long, and do not have noticeable imbricated scales. The leaves are narrow, linear or linear-lanceolate, 2-5 (up to 10) mm wide. The width is more or less the same along the entire length. The veins are clearly visible from below. The upper part of the leaf often dries out and breaks off. The height of the flowering plant can reach 20 cm. The length of the leaves often exceeds the length of the peduncles.

Peduncles erect, leafless. Inflorescences are racemose, dense, narrow pyramidal or ovoid . The lower flowers are fertile, blue or blue in color with a light border, goblet-shaped, cylindrical or tubular in shape, 3.5-5.5 mm long, 0.4 mm wide. Pedicels are short, drooping.

The upper flowers are sterile, painted in a lighter shade. Although uniform coloring of all flowers is possible. Flowering occurs in the second half of April - the first half of May. The average flowering time is 3 weeks.

The fruit is a winged three-lobed capsule, spherical or heart-shaped . Some varieties do not produce seed pods. The seeds are small, wrinkled, black.

When to replant muscari - in spring, or after flowering, or in autumn.

Early flowering does not allow muscari to be replanted in the spring. Many people still replant muscari in the spring and, as a rule, receive weakened material. Because in the first year after transplantation in the spring, flowering from one bulb looks sparse and simply loses all attractiveness. The process of transplanting muscaria in the spring is complicated by the fact that the shoots are very fragile, and on small bulbs without a peduncle, the shoots are very thin and easily break off from the bulb when pressed on the soil. As a result, it will take three years to restore the attractiveness of the flowerbed while a new generation grows, and in another year or two another transplant will be required.

Transplanting muscaria after flowering is also not advisable. The foliage remains green for a long time and does not dry out, which means the process of forming a new, future flowering is underway. It is not recommended to dig up and divide muscari before the foliage dries.

It is best to replant muscari in the fall or closer to autumn. But no later than mid-to-late October.

Choosing a site for planting and preparing the soil

The plant does not require watering, but the soil should be loose and retain moisture well. Muscari does not grow well in clay soil. The composition of the soil is preferably slightly acidic. This will give the inflorescences a very bright color, and the bush will look more lush.

Clay soil is not suitable for growing muscari

Flowers are planted in groups, so they look better. Before planting, it is advisable to dig up (or loosen) the soil to 8-10 cm.

On a note! For active development and flowering, fertilizing in the form of humus and compost is required.

Despite the short peduncle, muscari is not shaded by tall plants, because mouse hyacinth blooms in early spring, when other flora is still dormant and there is no foliage.

Muscari blooms in early spring

Muscari is a representative of the plant world, classified as perennial. With sufficiently fertilized soil, it can not be replanted for decades. Therefore, if you place it next to other perennials, you can avoid unnecessary work.