Muscari (lat. Muscari) - popular in decorative culture early spring flower. Received its recognition due to the soft blue inflorescences of bluebells, in form resembling small pyramids. Also this small bulbous plant is in demand of gardeners because of early flowering and unpretentious care. The flower has many names. Mostly he is known by the names of mouse hyacinth, viper onions and muscari. Each of the names has its own background.
Did you know? The flower got its first name due to external similarity with hyacinth and miniature sizes. Also, people noticed that snakes often live near these plants, which is why they called him viper onions or viper grass. Most likely, this neighborhood was explained by the fact that both flowers and snakes love heat and sun. Muscari flower called the English botanist Philip Miller, thus noting the smell of the plant, similar to musk.
In addition, in England this culture is called grape hyacinth (inflorescences are somewhat similar to a bunch of grapes), and in France - earthen lilac.
There is some disagreement as to which family the Muscari belongs to. Some scientists attribute the mouse hyacinth to the family of asparagus, others prefer to consider it hyacinth, and earlier this plant was added to the lists of lily families.
The genus Muscari has 63 species. Varieties of plants differ in colors, shades and shapes of inflorescences, flowering period, stem length, degree of resistance to frost. We invite you to get acquainted with common types and varieties of Muscari, which are used in garden culture.
The key to determining the types of Muscari
Key for identifying plant species - This is an algorithm described or implemented in the CAE system that helps identify plant species. When using the key, you need to answer the question about one or more characteristics of the crop, for example, about the color of the inflorescences or the shape of the leaves.
The key for defining muscari species is built on the dichotomous principle. In order to use it, it is necessary at each stage to compare the viper's bow with the proposed two alternative signs and choose the thesis (indicated by a number) or the antithesis (indicated by "+"). The next step after selecting the thesis and the antithesis will be the transition to the number indicated opposite the selected item.
Example:
1. The flowers are blue or lighter in color ... 2. + The flowers are darker in color ... 7.
Thus, if the Muscari, the type of which you want to identify, has flowers of a darker color, then you need to choose the antithesis and go to step number 7. If the flowers are blue or lighter, you need to choose the "1" sign and go to "2".
With each choice of thesis or antithesis, you will proceed to the next step until the plant type is determined.
Species identification is best done when the plant maintains the natural position of the organs and color, i.e., in a fresh state. 
The key is constructed in such a way that at first it is proposed to identify the above-ground parts of the plant, then the underground, at the end - signs that can be seen only with an increase in a magnifying glass. To accurately determine the species, it is necessary to determine the structure of the plant at the anatomical level.
The key for identifying muscari species can be found in the Encyclopedia of Ornamental Garden Plants (EDSR)
Important! Identification of the form using the key will only be conjectural. For a more accurate definition, you need to refer to authoritative sources, for example, to monographs, where this species is fully and fully described. It is also possible comparison with photographs of plant samples, certified by the name of the scientist, which can be found on the Internet.
Types of Muscari
Almost all species are decorative in adder’s bow. In addition, interesting varieties of muscari have been developed within certain species.
Muscari Armenian
The most famous and widespread in the decorative and gardening culture is the Muscari Armenian (Muscari armeniacum), or the Colchian Muscari (Muscari colchicum). The name of the flower refers to its homeland - the Caucasus. Also in the wild nature lives in mountain meadows and steppes of Turkey, in Central and Western Asia, the Mediterranean.
You can find it on almost spherical clusters of inflorescences with dark blue flowers, framed by a white border.
To the top, the flowers in the inflorescences are distinguished by a lighter color. Peduncle fairly high - up to 20 cm. Flowering period - May. In height, the flower reaches 12-20 cm, in the inflorescence contains 40-50 bells. It tolerates frosts.
Muscari Armenicum was one of the first to cultivate. So, within this species, many varieties are bred, the most popular among which is the Blue Spike. This variety is unique because it produces up to 170 flowers in one inflorescence.
Also this flower is late blooming - usually the flowering period comes two weeks later than other varieties. The flowers of the "Blue Spike" bright blue, terry, have a pleasant aroma.
Did you know? The beauty of the "Blue Spike" was awarded an international prize in 1963.
Also favorite among gardeners are varieties Alba, Fantasy creation, Cantab, Christmas Pearl.
Armenian Muscari flowers are planted under tree crowns, in flowerbeds, in mixborders, used for bouquets.
Muscari is ugly shaped
Muscari botryoides (Muscari botryoides) attracts the attention of large inflorescences (10-15 cm in height) of blue, purple and white flowers. The flowering period of this species begins in May, the flowering time is 12–20 days. Peduncle contains up to 40 bells. It has a high degree of winter hardiness. 
This species from the sixteenth century is common in garden culture. Popular is the variety with white, lily-of-the-valley, Album inflorescences and muscari with pink flowers - Carneum.
In addition to planting in flowerbeds in the garden, muscari is grozdavidny used for planting in pot culture and for cutting.
Important! All cultivated plants of the genus Muscari are unpretentious. They grow both in the shade and in the sun, they are not demanding to the soil and watering. Also resistant to diseases and pests.
Muscari broadleaf
The main feature of the broad-leaved Muscari (Muscari latifolium) is the wide, tulip-like leaves. The inflorescences of this species are dense, in the form of cylinders, high (up to 25 cm). 
Peduncles painted in different shades: from the bottom they are dark blue, almost purple, in the center - blue, and closer to the top - blue. Each of them holds up to hundreds of bells. Also broad-leaved muscari is characterized by a long flowering period - 20-25 days. Heat lover.
Used for group landings.
Muscari pale
This species was named because of the pale blue color of flowers. In the flowering period, the thickets of pale muscari look like delicate floral mats. Such a sophisticated shade is increasingly attracting the attention of flower growers. Especially valuable is the White Rose Beauty variety with unusual pale pink buds. But to meet Muscari pallens in the wild - a rarity. 
Peduncles in this species are very small - 10-12 cm, contain 15-30 flowers. This viper onion blooms at the end of May for 10-15 days.
Muscari Crested
Muscari crested (Muscari comosum) stands out among other species of loose multi-flowered inflorescence with a tuft of blue-violet color on long arcuate pedicels. Inflorescence arrow can reach 70 cm in height. The plant itself grows up to 20 cm. It blooms late - in May and June. By the end of flowering inflorescence is growing. This species is winter-resistant. 
In the garden most often planted variety Plumosum. Crested Muscari, unusual in its decorative effect, will look beautiful in mixborders with perennial plants, against the background of ground cover crops.
Muscari Osh (Tubergen)
Muscari Osh (Muscari aucheri / tubergenianum) is characterized by short inflorescences (10-15 cm) of blue flowers with pale teeth on the edges. Closer to the top the bells are painted in a lighter tone. Flowering begins in April. A characteristic feature of this species, which is worth paying attention to when landing, is that it does not tolerate excess moisture. In winter, it can withstand temperatures up to -23 ºС. 
Important! All parts of muscari are poisonous.
In a separate kind of flower growers emit Muscari tubergenianum, which is distinguished by a lighter color of flowers.
The popular varieties of this species are Blue Magic, White Magic, Ocean Magic. They are planted in groups, rocky gardens, used in bouquets.
Cute muscari
Inflorescences in this species are egg-shaped, up to 15 cm in height. Flowers - small (4-7 mm), bright blue. The limbs are white. May begin to bloom immediately after the snow melts. Muscari pretty (Muscari pulchellum) is characterized by very narrow leaves (0.2-0.5 mm) with curved edges. 
Muscari belong to the class of short flowering and bloom very briefly - 7-20 days. Therefore, when planting in the summer cottage, it is necessary to proceed not from the duration of flowering, but from its early flowering.
After the viper onion blooms, other annual plants can be planted in its place, which still have time to please you with flowering at the end of summer - at the beginning of autumn. Or you need to take care in advance of planting near plants that can hide the unattractive view of Muscari after flowering.
