In the world of Muscari the concept of a ‘Giant Form’ is somewhat relative.
For example, I measured this Muscari anatolicum ‘Giant Form’ this afternoon and discovered it was the grand total of 13cm high!
National Collection of Bellevalia
In the world of Muscari the concept of a ‘Giant Form’ is somewhat relative.
For example, I measured this Muscari anatolicum ‘Giant Form’ this afternoon and discovered it was the grand total of 13cm high!
Today I have three tales from the Bellevalias to share in pictures.
1, The buds on Bellevalia longistyla are still green and tightly packed, but the appearance of a dark collar at the base of the raceme adds a touch of elegance as the flower spike pushes up.
2, Bellevalia cyanopoda looks a little like a pineapple sitting on its leaves with the raindrops close by. The leaves have a subtle touch of red along their margins.
Bellevalia cyanopoda – 15 Mar 2019
3, And last but not least, not much to look at may be, but very exciting to me… seedlings coming through for Bellevalia paradoxa.
Another one of those ‘not blue’ Grape Hyacinths. I find the curious white and pinky grey Muscari commutatum album fascinating… but then I am obsessed!
It’s not all about blue and purple in the world of Muscari.
In addition to its cheerful yellow flowers, Golden Fragrance smells lovely too!
This year is my first for growing Bellevalias. I am very excited by the flower heads poking their noses through… I am less happy to report that the snails appear to be just as excited by the leaves of Bellevalia longistyla!
I have a number of new bulbs this year which I have been eagerly anticipating.
Muscari adilii has not disappointed, with its fat little collection of deep violet flowers tipped with white. What a beauty!
Another early flowering variety, Pseudomuscari azureum make me think of ballerinas in tutus.
So the website is beginning to take shape. I’ll be adding to it this year as and when there is something interesting to report.
The page for Pseudomuscari azureum is already online. Please stop by and let me know what you think (constructive criticism is always welcome). And If you like it, please share with your garden friendly friends.
Thank you 🙂
Let flowering commence!
While I have a few new comers in the collection this year, Pseudomuscari coeleste is, once again, the first of my lovelies to open its buds in the bright February sunshine.
This species is a native of Southern Cappadocia, Turkey.
Coeleste in Latin refers to divine, celestial, heavenly bodies.
The flowers begin with a tight conical raceme of blue green buds. These open as pale blue campanulate flowers with darker blue stripes down the centre of each tepal. They remind me of old fashioned striped pyjamas.
As the flowers age they turn a deep lilac blue. They have no discernible scent.
The leaves are a mid green and not much longer than the flower spikes at maturity.
My bulbs were purchased from
Further details about the species can be found at
I imagine that anyone looking at the collection of pots outside my back door at this time of year would question my sanity. I appear to have spent no small amount of time amassing and potting plants which, at this point, mostly offer grass like leaves which all look the same. And that’s even if they’ve bothered to poke their noses through their gritty compost yet.
Ah, but while I’m willing to admit Muscari madness, I can not agree that they all look the same.
There is Muscari macrocarpum Golden Fragrance, looking fresh, tall and strong.
There is the somewhat lax and lazy Muscari commutatum alba, lolling about.
For a spot of colour we have Muscari verticillaris with a reddish infusion at the base of the leaves.
Then there is Muscari Mount Hood, each bulb sending up 5 or 6 strong green leaves apparently making a grab for any sunshine they can find.
While Muscari mirum is content to make minimum effort on the foliage front.
To me, of course, they are all interesting and all hold the promise of the best being yet to come.
But then, just as I was ready to go in for a cup of tea I spotted this…
It’s the first year I’ve grown Muscari adilii. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It turns out he’s so excited about flowering he can’t even wait for his leaves to grow.