Muscari comosum Plumosum - Feather grape hyacinth

Muscari comosum ‘Plumosum’, the feather hyacinth or tassel hyacinth, has a flowering habit very different from the usual grape hyacinths. Its spikes do not resemble clusters of little bells, but lilac to pale violet plumes, finely branched and slightly ruffled. This flowering is rather late for a grape hyacinth, taking place in the heart of spring. Hardy and faithful in the garden, this small bulb thrives in the sun, in any light, well-drained soil. It also grows very well in pots.

The tassel hyacinth belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is a bulbous perennial plant, whose entire foliage disappears during the summer before starting again at the end of winter or the beginning of spring. The species Muscari comosum is found over a vast area stretching from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean basin to Central Europe, the Middle East and Iran. It grows mostly in dry meadows, vineyards, cultivated land, stony ground and near well-exposed walls. The name Leopoldia comosa, still used in some books and catalogues, is now considered a synonym of Muscari comosum.
The cultivar ‘Plumosum’ has been cultivated since the early 17th century. It is also listed under the name ‘Monstrosum’. Its flowering results from a transformation of the flowers: the small fertile bells of the wild species are almost entirely replaced by sterile flowers with branched pedicels, which form that characteristic feathery mass. The plant does not self-seed like the wild tassel hyacinth, but its bulb produces bulblets that allow the clump to gradually widen. The narrow, linear and slightly channelled green leaves reach 15 to 20cm in length. An upright flowering stem rises above the foliage and bears its violet plume, which becomes denser as it opens. The plant reaches 20 to 25cm in height when in flower. It flowers mainly in April and May, depending on the climate. After flowering, the leaves turn yellow then dry up, while the bulb enters a period of rest. This summer dormancy enables it to withstand fairly dry soil during warm weather. This ‘Plumosum’ variety is very hardy, withstanding temperatures close to –15 °C, provided the soil is not too wet in winter.

Muscari ‘Plumosum’ should be planted in groups of 10 to 15 bulbs in a rock garden, a sunny border or a gravel bed. Its violet plumes combine well with the white flowers with pink reverses of botanical tulip ‘Lady Jane’ and the cherry-red flowers of dwarf iris ‘Cherry Garden’. Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ flowers a little earlier and can spread between the groups of bulbs. Allium karataviense ‘Ivory Queen’, with its ivory globes and broad glaucous leaves, takes over at the end of spring. All these plants appreciate sun, well-drained soil and a relatively dry rest period in summer.