Code:511
it is often grown as an ornamental plant
Family: Asparagaceae
Common name: Aucher-Eloy grape hyacinth, Botryanthus aucheri
Plant Classification: Hardy bulb Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 10 cm
Maximum Height: 15 cm
This dwarf bulbous perennial forms clumps to 15cm in height, with narrow grey-green leaves, and erect stems with dense spikes of small, globose, bright blue, white-rimmed flowers. In its Turkish home, where it grows in grassy alpine areas, it is often grown as an ornamental plant. There are usually only two or three leaves per bulb, which are relatively wide for a muscari, with a greyish green upper side, and a hooded or boat-shaped tip.
Sowing advice:
Sow seeds at any time covering them with compost or grit 5mm deep, keeping the seed pot in a cool, well-lit spot outdoors. Artificial heat is not needed and can prevent germination so be very patient as many species will only germinate in the spring after chilling or freezing in the moist seed tray in the winter. Grow on individual seedlings in small pots until of sufficient size to be potted on or planted out into the open ground.
Natural Multi-Tasker:
One of the most versatile and useful of special miscellaneous bulbs, Muscari are fabulous in large drifts, as an underplanting for Narcissi, as thick ribbon garden borders, in rock garden clusters or as a connective element between other plantings. And don’t forget the famous river of Muscari at the Keukenhof! Muscari aucheri Blue Magic is exceedingly well priced so it may be planted en masse for maximum impact! Other varieties of Muscari aucheri include Dark Eyes, Mount Hood, Ocean Magic and White Magic (that could have been called ‘Spring Blizzard’ because it creates a thick white floral carpet)
