BROAD LEAVED GRAPE HYACINTH Muscari latifolium
Muscari are among the earliest garden flowers to bloom in the spring. They tend to multiply quickly (naturalise) when planted in good soils. They prefer well drained sandy soil, that is acid to neutral and not too rich. Naturally found in woodlands or meadows, they are commonly cultivated in lawns, borders, rock gardens and containers. They require little feeding or watering in the summer, and grow in sun or light .
Muscari latifolium (broad-leaved grape hyacinth) reaches a height of 15–40 cm (6–16 in), rarely 50 cm (20 in). There are usually one, rarely two leaves present. These are 7–30 cm (3–12 in) long and 1 to 3 cm wide, upright, wide and linear to ovate-lanceolate. They are drawn together and often hood-shaped. The flower stem is slightly longer than the leaves. The fertile flowers at the base are 5 to 6 mm long and 3 mm wide, oblong-shaped and a deep purple colour. The flowering period extends from April to May in the Northern Hemisphere.
Widely used as an ornamental plant in flower beds, M. latifolium is hardy to USDA Zone 5, and in the British Isles and all of Europe down to −20 °C (−4 °F). It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Note: This plant species is known to have toxicity. The ingestion of these seeds or this plant can cause serious illness or death
Seeds per pack: 5
Germination: As with many perennials, these seeds benefit from a period of moist cold to help them grow. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:
Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 5-6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout a few weeks after the warming period.
