Grape Hyacinth 'Valerie Finnis' (Muscari)

Where to Plant:

This is a highly sought-after and beautiful variety, celebrated for its unique and delicate powder-blue flowers. It provides a much softer, more subtle effect than the common Grape Hyacinth. It is very easy to grow and will thrive in full sun or partial shade in any reasonably well-drained soil. It is perfect for creating gentle drifts of colour at the front of borders, in rockeries, or for growing in pots and containers where its refined beauty can be appreciated up close.

How to Plant:

You should plant the small bulbs in the autumn, anytime from September to November, to flower the following spring. Plant them at a depth of about 10cm (4 inches), with the pointed tip facing upwards. To make the most of their gentle colouring, they look best when planted in generous, dense groups rather than scattered thinly. Space the individual bulbs about 5-8cm apart to allow them to form a good-sized clump.

Aftercare:

This is a very low-maintenance bulb. It is normal for its grassy leaves to appear in the autumn and persist through the winter. After the flowers have finished in spring, it is essential to allow this foliage to die back and turn yellow on its own. This process feeds the bulb for next year's display. It will multiply happily; if you wish to control its spread, you should snip off the faded flower heads before they set seed.