Muscari is a genus in the Hyacinthaceae family. Muscaris can be found in their natural habitats around the Mediterranean Sea from Spain all the way round to Morocco. Many species originate from Turkey but some can be found in the Caucasus. They grow in vineyards in Austria and France. They are even found in the USA as garden escapees. Some grow on dry mountain slopes, some in (mountain) meadows. There is a Muscari for every situation.
Muscaris prefer a neutral to alkaline soil although a slightly acid soil will usually be tolerated. Good drainage is essential. All species like a sunny to semi-shady spot. Planting depth should be, as with all bulbs, twice the height of the bulb. For naturalizing I would recommend a bit deeper, especially in colder areas. Winter hardiness is not a problem; they will survive most cold winters.
Rock gardeners will get great value out of many Muscari species. Choose the ones that don’t multiply too rapidly; otherwise the bulbs can get too invasive. Cultivars of Muscari armeniacum and Muscari neglectum are such rampant growers. For a touch of delicacy try Muscari pallens instead, or choose the bulbs of Muscari macrocarpum, for its bright yellow flowers and lovely sweet fragrance.
Martin Phillipo has provided much of the information on this page in his 
Introduction to the topic of the week when Muscari was discussed in May 2003. Visit his web site for complete information on this genus.
Muscari armeniacum 'Côte d'Azur' was photographed by Martin Philippo. The first photo is an armeniacum cultivar, noticeable for its clear blue color. The flowers were grown in a pot. This photo was taken on a tripod, shutter time 1/60 at the highest resolution from a distance of 27 cm (macro). The second photo, Muscari armeniacum 'Peppermint' another armeniacum cultivar, was grown from seed. The picture is a "field" showing Martin's entire stock.
Muscari auchadra, photograph taken in the alpine house in Wisley Gardens, Surrey, England, in March 2003 by Martin Philippo.
Muscari aucheri is native to Turkey, a short plant with bright blue flowers with white lobes topped by a cluster of small paler flowers. It blooms in spring. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner
Muscari chalusicum photographed by Jane McGary in a bulb frame in Oregon in late February. Also known as Pseudomuscari chalusicum, it comes from northern Iran, where it grows on "rocky ledges and light woodland." It does not increase rapidly so is a good choice for the well-kept garden, where its lovely light blue flowers go perfectly with early daffodils.
Muscari comosum is native to Europe and has been in cultivation for many centuries, perhaps because of it's culinary use. For this purpose, the plants are harvested before flowers appear. The flower head is a pallid purple, flowers when bloomed turn a shade of brown. Flowers have a musty odor, not very pleasant. Bulbs divide well and in some places escaped cultivation. Photos by Nhu Nguyen.
Muscari grandifolium is native to North Africa, in the Atlas and Rif mountains. It is probably related to M. neglectum. Photo by John Lonsdale.
Muscari latifolium, a member of the Botryanthus group is a native to NW Turkey, growing in open pine forests at ca. 1000 m, flowering in April. This species is widely available and was grown from seed flowering in three years. Photo by Martin Philippo.
Muscari macrocarpum grown in New Jersey, photo by Arnold Trachtenberg. This Muscari is native to East Crete, the Amorgos Isles and southwest Turkey where it grows on dry, rocky places. Like Muscari muscarimi it is fragrant and best grown in a bulb frame or alpine house in a deep pot to accommodate its strong roots.
Muscari massayanum has grey-green leaves and flowers that are pink or purple in bud, changing to greenish-yellow with blackish-brown lobes. It is native to Turkey. The photo taken by Bob Rutemoeller shows plants blooming in Harry Hay's gardens in May 2004.
Muscari muscarimi grown in New Jersey, photo by Arnold Trachtenberg. This species is the most sweetly scented member of the genus, having something of the musk scent after which it is named. The bulbs are large with thick, fleshy roots that shouldn't dry out in summer. Muscari musacrimi flowers best if kept warm during their dormant period in the summer.
Muscari neglectum has narrowly linear leaves and dense racemes of dark blue to blackish-blue flowers with white lobes. It is widespread, found in Europe and Asia. This species produces many offsets and therefore is considered invasive and unwanted by many. It is however long blooming. I've had plants in pots start to bloom in the fall, take a break during the coldest, wettest months, and then resume blooming for many months in the spring. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.
Muscari pallens is a small plant of the Caucasus and Turkey with pale blue to almost white flowers. It doesn't appear until spring and then blooms quickly after the leaves are well up. It is a very charming plant that I acquired from Jane McGary. First photograph by Mary Sue Ittner. Photo two, two versions, the left side is known as M. pallens JR and the right is M. pallens. JR is from Janis Ruksans. Photo by Arnold Trachtenberg.
Muscari 'Saffier' is one grape hyacinth which stands out from the crowd. The flowers are shaped like a pumpkin rather than the typical grape hyacinth bell or tube. And they are widely spaced in the raceme. This gives the inflorescence the appearance of being perpetually in bud. On close examination, it will be seen that some of the flowers are open and do have a tiny style.
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