Muscari aucheri Blue Magic

Muscari aucheri Blue Magic is a rare horticultural variety with abundant flowering in the form of small, bright blue clusters, which appear in April-May on a carpet of bright green leaves reminiscent of snowdrops. Derived from the species often cultivated in gardens, this vigorous little bulb is perfectly hardy and easily naturalises in the garden. It thrives in both pots and borders, in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Just like hyacinths, it can be easily forced from autumn to enjoy its flowering at home, in the heart of winter.

Muscari aucheri is a bulbous plant from the hyacinth family, native to alpine meadows in the mountains of Turkey. Medium-sized for a muscari, the 'Blue Magic' variety sometimes reaches 25 cm (10in) high and 15 cm (6in) wide. Its vegetative cycle begins in September-October, when its foliage appears (often 3 leaves are observed). Its fairly wide, ribbon-like leaves are greenish-grey on top, stay neat after flowering and persist throughout the winter. A single flower stalk emerges in spring, April-May depending on the climate and weather. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers 2 to 6 cm (1 to 2in) long and about 1.5 cm (1in) wide, exuding a heavy and intoxicating fragrance. The small urn-shaped flowers measure only 5 to 6 mm (0in) long and are tightly packed together, forming a narrow and dense cone. The pale green buds open into bright blue flowers, without any trace of violet. This bulb naturalises slowly but surely in light soil, without ever becoming invasive.

Plant Muscari 'Blue Magic' en masse, in groups of about ten bulbs, in a flower carpet or along a path for good decorative effect, or randomly naturalise them in a meadow, and at the base of bushes. Its true blue flowers will beautifully highlight all the other spring bulbs, narcissus, early hyacinths, ipheions, anemone blanda, iris reticulata... You can also plant it with other muscari (M. 'Ocean Magic, 'White Magic, M. latifolium, M. armeniacum) to further expand the colour palette. They blend well with daffodils and snowdrops. Pink or white tulips are also good companions for their graceful flowering.