THE grape hyacinth brings a burst of blue to spring, either crammed into pots or in drifts between deciduous shrubs.

Among the most common is Muscari armeniacum, which quickly forms clumps of sapphire blue flowers, while M. armeniacum ‘Dark Eyes’ bears stout spikes of deep blue flowers, delicately edged in white.

You need to plant plenty of bulbs as grape hyacinths are small, so the more you plant the more of an effect you will have. I prefer them on their own in terracotta pots, but there are those who prefer them in large pots above tulips or narcissi.

Bulbs should be planted in the autumn with the tips 5cm below the surface.