Plant of the week

MUSCARI AZUREUM

HERE’S a grape hyacinth with a difference. The flower spikes are shorter and more conical than those of other muscaris. Each sky-blue, cap-shaped flower is tightly packed among its neighbours. Its stems are short — not often more than 10cm high. There’s also a white form, Muscari armeniacum Album. A native of Turkey, Muscari azureum is more compact than the common grape hyacinth. And, unlike that troublesome weed, you’re never plagued by shocks of scruffy, grassy autumn foliage. M. azureum is an excellent bulb for naturalising in sunny shingle, or free-draining soil. Over time, self-seeding results in carpets of pale blue. But be aware, the spread is vigorous, and may be hard to control.