Muscari armeniacum Alida

Muscari armeniacum 'Alida' is a compact hybrid variety, with densely packed spikes of small, intense, blue bells with a fine white edge hanging on short stems. Its medium green linear leaves are upright to semi-upright and the nectar-rich and slightly fragrant flowering occurs in March. This small bulb rests in the summer, unaffected by heat.

Derived from Muscari armeniacum, 'Alida' is a hybrid belonging to the asparagaceae family. This small bulbous plant produces a basal rosette of long, very narrow, gutter-shaped leaves, in a light and vibrant green. Each rosette produces 3 to 5 flower spikes on a mature and well-developed bulb. The 15 to 20 cm tall flower spikes bear 20 to 40 small urn-shaped flowers, initially a perfectly uniform cobalt blue, tightly packed in a compact cluster 10 cm high. The white ring encircling the "neck" of each small flower appears later. The fertile flowers located towards the top of the cluster, are slightly lighter blue. After pollination by insects, triangular fruits form, containing numerous round, black seeds that germinate very easily.

Muscari is a small, undemanding plant, but one that should not be overlooked due to its delightful range of soft or vibrant colours. 'Alida' falls on the side of vibrant flowering, with its intense blue colour. Its great resistance to cold, drought, and shade allows it to be used in many situations: in woodland, at the base of trees, as a border to highlight the design of a pathway, in a rockery, in the company of heathers for example, or in Japanese-style gardens. It also grows very well in pots, on a windowsill or balcony. It is so accommodating that it will forgive forgotten watering and thrive in neglected or weekend gardens. Its blue flowers are very beautiful next to the yellow trumpets of daffodils, forget-me-nots, the fragrant clusters of early blue hyacinths (Blue Pearl, Delft Blue), or the pink and red cups of triumph tulips. Also, place muscari en masse in a lawn. It multiplies rapidly in good, rich, and well-draining soil.