Muscari macrocarpum 'Golden Fragrance'

I’m posting this photo as an example of what diseases you should look out for in some bulbs. Sadly these Muscari are infected with a virus - poss mosaic virus spread by aphids - and causes this mottling, streaky foliage as well as deformaties in leaves and flowers. It will gradually get worse each year before the bulbs just give up. Normally you should dispose of them immediately otherwise there is a risk aphids will feed, carry and pass virus to another healthy bulb in a neighbouring pot.

However, I’ve isolated these to outside the house (far away from my others) as I want to test if this variety has any degree of hardiness as I’ve previously protected it over winter. If they get to March ok then I’ll bin them after and buy fresh next autumn. Surprised the flowers are arriving so soon! (Although they will most likely fail or die nearer opening because of the virus)

Thanks for sharing this information, Rich. I haven’t seen any problems with my muscari but it’s worth knowing, just in case. 😘

No probs Barbara - it’s more common than people think and I’ve seen it a lot in Muscari, Crocus and dwarf Iris. I have it on some of my other pots too unfortunately - the prob with polytunnel growing is aphids seem to cope much better and infected aphids overwinter and it’s hard to control them come spring. But hope I’ve evicted everything I could remember from last year. @jacaranda

Oh dear - what a shame

Thanks for sharing, now I know what to look for 👍

Thanks both - i was a little disappointed as the aphids are my number one nemesis in the polytunnel in previous years. They really do attack as soon as it gets warm. I’m leaving many things out this winter as the bulbs will fair better to the elements outdoors but I always run the risk the foxes & squirrels dig them up 🙈🙈 @pelly @sharonhayden

I think because I have stone walls things don’t get in as I don’t have that problem- having said that something has moved all the leaves....🐀🤔

I think we have a rodent problem at work - most of the tulip bulbs that I planted a few weeks ago have been dug up 😔 @sharonhayden

What a pain Richard 😫😫

05/05/19 - was a little sceptical at first when I bought these as to how ‘yellow’ these muscari would turn out, but clearly I had nothing to worry about! And they had an amazing punchy fragrance which filled this end of the polytunnel 😲 #muscari #muscari-macrocarpum #muscarimacrocarpumgoldenfragrance #yellowgrapehyacinth they look and smell like little bananas attached to each stalk 😄

That's different 😊

Was looking at these online the other day! Great to see what they really look like - really lovely 💛 look like tiny red hot pokers 😛

Thanks Jason! A keeper I think 👍🏼

Thanks Kathryn, and the fragrance was lovely too @katgreen

I’ve seen a few garden centres now selling these in autumn, so that’s the best time to look for them 😊👍🏼 @debrascott

Aha yes I see what you mean! 😄 I’d def recommend trying them, although I can’t vouch for how they cope with outdoor winter wetness. I don’t think the temp would be a problem, more the wetness so if you can keep them more on the dryer side through worst of winter I think they will be fine. Others may have some experience with growing them outside @kez001uk

Well that's a new one on me! Never seen yellow ones before 💛👌

The garden centres have started selling them now in autumn 😄 @jeatacake

I'll have to hunt some down then 👍

@richard.spicer.7906 sounds like they might be ok in my unheated greenhouse over winter. Be worth trying as they really are eye catching!

Prob, yes - you’ll have to look out for some 😄👍🏼 @kez001uk

A yellow Muscari you say?!? Also trying these, which apparently have a very strong scent. Bonus as the packet said only four bulbs, but it seems I got an extra bulb 😄 - the flowers open from purple buds which change to yellow with age. Planted ina. Gritty soil mix using John Innes no. 3, multi-purpose compost, grit and silver sand #bulb #bulbs #muscari #muscari-macrocarpum #muscarimacrocarpumgoldenfragrance #yellowgrapehyacinth

Ooh like the sound of those!

They do Rach! I’ve seen them a couple of times in previous years but never thought of getting them. I’m gonna keep them in the polytunnel though as I don’t think they like excessive frosts 👍🏼 @rachelbrooks

I've seen them before but not sure about the colours. I look forward to seeing your pics. 😊 I'm on the lookout for purple ones with white cap.