Muscari muscarimi

Muscari muscarimi is a very rare botanical species, also known as Muscari racemosum, or sometimes Muscari moschatum, although the names for muscaris can sometimes be confusing. In spring, it produces slender upright clusters where small elongated white to pale yellow bells and a few upper blue-purple flowers are tightly packed on a red stem and bluish-green linear foliage. The flowers have a delightful sweet musk fragrance. It is native to sunny dry hillsides in southern Turkey and therefore thrives in well-drained soil in full sun, ideal in rock gardens.

Muscari muscarimi is a plant of the Asparagaceae family native to southwestern Turkey where it grows in rocky areas. It is a robust plant with large bulbs that have thick fleshy roots. Each bulb produces several greyish-green leaves. The individual flowers measure 7 to 9 mm long, are grey-white to white-yellow with a coppery edge when fully open, sometimes with a bluish tint. The top of the inflorescence consists of a few small purple flowers. They have a distinct musky scent. On hot days, their musky fragrance fills the air around them. The nectar-rich flowers, typical of all Muscaris, make them highly attractive to bees. As a naturalising bulb, more and more flowers will appear over the years. Flowering occurs between March and May depending on the climate: it is earlier in the south, later in the north and in the mountains. The floral stems measure 10 to 20 cm in height and bear a cluster of 6-8 cm at their tip.

Plant the lovely Muscari muscarimi in a container to enjoy its beauty and fragrance. The flowers transition from mauve to cream, creating a dreamy two-tone gradient that perfectly complements their scent. In the garden, place it in a dry rock garden with small plants, as it greatly appreciates the well-drained soil and full sun it provides. Its gentle and subtle flowering pairs beautifully with other small spring bulbs. This bright muscari particularly complements white botanical daffodils, Ipheions, and white Greek anemones in delicate scenes. In a natural-inspired garden, it requires little maintenance.