I bought 100 bulbs, mostly because they were cheap. Planting them was not fun, as I recall - I placed them in grass. And I had long forgotten them by the next spring. So, it was quite a delight to me when they came up and - miraculously it seemed to me at the time - bloomed! I have often wondered if the people that now reside in that house appreciate the pleasure of these small bulbs' blooms as much as I did.
Although they are quite small (tiny, really - I remember being a bit disappointed in their size), a mass planting will still stand out. Buy a lot and you will have some spring cheer. They don't bloom for a long period of time, but long enough to make you excited about gardening. If you are a new gardener, or even if you are not, I definitely recommend grape hyacinths. They will give you a boost of accomplishment and enthusiasm.
You have to remember to plant the bulbs in the fall. While you're at it, go ahead and plant some other bulbs along with them! You will not be disappointed. They are a cheap thrill!
Mine are coming up right now, and you are right I am thrilled. Really I am not much of a gardener. But I am learning.
ReplyDeleteLove your grape hyacinths! The tiny blue bell-shaped flowers are just adorable! I am wondering, if they would grow in Southern California, too, since I don't remember seeing them here. I agree with you about bulbs, they can give you quite a thrill. I planted gladioli bulbs two years ago and really like them.
ReplyDeleteChristina
I really like muscari, not sure what happened to the ones I had, they haven't appeared?
ReplyDeleteI just love Muscari. And broadcasting them in grass like you did is great and so unexpected where they end up. Happy to see them blooming.
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely! Are they fragrant at all?
ReplyDeletelifeshighway - aren't they just the sweetest little things? I bet you are a better gardener than you give yourself credit.
ReplyDeleteChristina - I don't know. I read conflicting reports about their zones, so I left it out. Bulbs are fast becoming one of my favorite things. The only problem is my digging around them, ruining or slicing them.
Kelli - I thought muscari was supposed to be the first bulbs to come up, but my daffodils came up first, then crocus, then muscari - backwards than the order I expected. I keep wondering if my hellebores will now emerge! Don't give up, they will probably show in the next day or so.
GWGT - Yes, while reminiscing about planting those in the grass, I decided to do that here next year. Don't know why I hadn't thought about it before. I get sidetracked.
Masha - No, as far as I can tell, they are not fragrant. :( But mine are just the cheapest version. There are numerous variations, and there could possibly be one that might be slightly fragrant.
I love the little grape hyacinths....I don't see them in Florida. Thanks for joining my blog..I will also sign onto yours, which I think is superb!
ReplyDeleteEgretta - I wonder if Florida's winters are too hot for them? Thanks so much for coming by and for commenting and following!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Here in south Africa, bulbs we be available for purchase in the next 2 weeks for planting in April and may. I've been researching, reading and these were on my undecided list - have just been promoted to "gotta get" :)
ReplyDeleteDear HG, Muscari was one of my earliest successes too, so I am particularly fond of these pretty blue blooms. Great idea to plant them in grass if you can resist mowing until the leaves have died back. P x
ReplyDeleteGardeningBlog - I hope you enjoy them! For the price (at least the price here), they are well worth having a few.
ReplyDeletePam - Our earliest successes are dear to us, aren't they? I think I would have no trouble telling my husband to put off mowing for a while! :)
If the people in the house do not appreciate this early spring bloomer, they have issues.
ReplyDeleteI think they prefer cold weather. I always wanted a River of Muscari like in the pics of Keukenhof. I can't even manage a trickle. I think I have half a dozen this spring.
ReplyDeleteDo you know that unlike regular hyacinths they will keep putting on more blooms throughout spring?
Oh what a lovely surprise to see these pretty purple blooms. One thing about planting from seeds and forgetting about them is the wonderful surprise you'll get when they start to grow and bloom and suddenly seem to appear before you eyes.
ReplyDeleteDarla - hahaha! Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteNellJean - I didn't know they would do that! I will have to keep checking them out. A river would be beautiful. I'm considering a pool of them in one area.
Autumn Belle - Yes, it is exciting when something appears that you didn't expect. One of the reasons I don't put plant markers for bulbs (besides the fact that I'm lazy) is that I love the surprise!