The Armenian grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), of the family of Asparagaceae, is one of those plants that herald spring, and it is by far the most cultivated grape hyacinth species. We are therefore all feverishly awaiting its flowering after long winter months. These plants, nicknamed bunch hyacinthsare small bulbous plants that all gardeners should plant in their garden in order to benefit very quickly from colorful rugs because these perennials are not demanding and bloom abundantly. Let’s take stock of the planting of grape hyacinths and see how to maintain them.
Plant the Muscari
Grape hyacinths are planted at the beginning of autumn, from September until the end of the first half of November, at the same time as many other spring-flowering bulbous plants. We choose different species of grape hyacinths, knowing that there are about forty of them, either to form a carpet with a spectacular effect by counting a hundred bulbs per square meter, or in small groups of 5 to 10, in beds, rockeries, flowerbeds or at the foot of trees and shrubs, associated with other plants. It is necessary to respect an interval of about 8 cm between the grape hyacinth bulbs.
Pour plant grape hyacinths in the groundjust follow the steps below.
- Prepare the garden soil to make it loose 15 to 20 cm deep, and do not hesitate to mix it with gravel if it is very clayey soil. This significantly improves the drainage.
- Make the holes in dibber,
- Plant the bulbs point to the sky at a depth of 6 or 7 cm,
- Place a layer of soil about twice their height on the bulbs,
- Tamp with the foot,
- Water without excess.
It is also possible to muscaris plant in pot, preferably by combining them with crocuses, irises, hyacinths or even tulips for a prettier effect. Just do the following.
- Choose a container terracotta fully drilled,
- Place a drainage layer at the bottom,
- Fill the pot or planter with a compound mixture of potting soil, garden soil and pozzolana,
- Install the bulbs in this growing medium, tightening them enough for a compact effect,
- Tamp down,
- Water.
Finally, the forcing grape hyacinths is quite possible. This allows you to take advantage of an early flowering on the inside of the House.
Grow Muscari
It is important to reserve an area for them sunny and warm. These small bulbous plants have a preference for loose soil et well drained that don’t stay wet for too long. It is essential to do everything possible so that grape hyacinths do not suffer from excess humidity, as this can be fatal to them.
Maintaining your grape hyacinths
These little plants don’t have big demands, making them very easy-going bulbs.
Water
Grape hyacinths grown in the ground do not need to be watered. If grown in a pot, they should be watered in autumn-winter as soon as the substrate dries on the surface, and only occasionally in summer. During the period of vegetative rest, it is necessary to completely suspend the waterings.
Fertiliser
For grape hyacinths to flower generously, we recommend addingorganic fertilizer every year in the fall.
Divide
Grape hyacinth tufts should be divided every 2 or 3 years because the bulbs produce many bulblets. It is therefore very easy to have more and more grape hyacinths in the garden without breaking the bank.
Pests and diseases
There is nothing to report since grape hyacinths are neither prey to parasites nor susceptible to disease. They just need to be grown in well-drained soil to prevent the risk of rotting and fungal diseases.
Muscari flowering
This is from the end of winter that the Muscari flowers. Its flowers have the shape of small bells of a deep purplish blue or more rarely pink or white. They are arranged on the cob.
Flowering should be followed by a essential rest period so that the grape hyacinths flower again abundantly the following year. It is indeed during this period that the bulbs reconstitute their reservations of nutrients. But for this to be possible, it is absolutely essential not to cut the leaves until they are completely dry.