Muscari aucheri Ocean Magic - Grape Hyacinth

Muscari aucheri 'Ocean Magic' is a fairly rare horticultural variety, whose abundant, small flower clusters are coloured cobalt blue, sky blue and white, from the base of the inflorescence to its top. Derived from the species often grown in gardens, this muscari is perfectly hardy. It grows well in pots and flower beds, in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Muscari aucheri is a bulbous plant from the hyacinth family, native to alpine meadows in the mountains of Turkey. Ocean Magic is medium-sized for a muscari, sometimes reaching 25 cm (10in) high and 15 cm (6in) wide. Its vegetative cycle begins in September-October when the 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 spike emerges in 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. The urn-shaped flowers are small, only 5 to 6 mm (0in) long, tightly packed together, forming a narrow and dense cone. The lower flowers are a cobalt blue which lightens upwards, becoming white at the top of the spike, displaying a gradient of all the colours of the ocean, from intense blue to white. This bulb naturalises slowly but surely in light soil.

Plant 'Ocean Magic' Muscari en masse, in groups of about ten bulbs, in a flower carpet or along a path to achieve a good decorative effect, or randomly naturalise them in a lawn, and at the base of bushes. Its flowers are a beautiful range of blues, which will enhance all other spring bulbs. Other muscaris (M.latifolium, M. armeniacum) can also be associated with it to further expand the colour palette. They blend well with daffodils and wood anemones. Pink or white tulips are also good companions for their graceful flowers.