Monday, May 16, 2011

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011: Purple Flowers, "Muscari", Look Like Grapes



Every delightful time these little cone-shaped, bright purple flowers, like the ones shown above and below, were spotted, they made me think of clusters of teeny tiny grapes.

























Finding out their name was important since they were always so darned beautiful, I wanted to buy some for our yard.




Well, recently, while attending the Tulip Festival  in Albany, New York, I found out the flowers were called "Muscari."  Many of the stunning tulip displays included this enchanting flower!




It's no joke to say at the festival there were thousands upon thousands of the plants. There was a virtual sea of Muscari and they made a terrific treat for the eyes.

The Internet's Wikipedia noted that Muscari are actually in the grape hyacinth family.  Thankfully, they are perennials so that when found, bought, and planted  in our yard, they'll come back up every single year! Hooray!




The word "Muscari" is derived from the Latin word "muscus" and the scent of the flower resembles musk.





All photos shown in today's post were taken by this blogger at the Tulip Festival.  Feast your eyes on the immense beauty of Muscari, mixed with multi-colored tulips. Don't you agree that displays like these make a person grateful to be alive and be able to see?

HAVE YOU SEEN MUSCARI? 

P.S. Update on the devastating fire shown in Sunday's post. Today, driving by the house was eerie as it now looks like a blackened skeleton.  Workers are covering the doors with plywood.  Windows are gaping black holes.

The American Red Cross worked all day and evening Sunday to find places for the 45 homeless residents of apartments in the building to stay.  They lost all their possessions.

News reports have indicated the fire, which is still under investigation, may have started in the basement through electrical wiring, however, that has not been completely confirmed at this time.

A fire like that can happen to any one of us. It's imperative to never leave candles unattended or overhead room fans running when no one is home. Also, be careful with cigarettes, pipes, and cigars, if you smoke.

17 comments:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Holy Mackerel! Gorgeous flowers and photos!

I first came to know about those sweet little grape hyacinth when my oldest child was in first grade. I was at the school for some reason and noticed a few growing along the building edge. I admired them and the teacher told me what they were.

I ordered some and planted them in my from berm but even after all of these years I only have a few that come back each year. They should have multiplied and filled the area. Well, I will just be happy with the few that I have :)

Chatty Crone said...

Susan - those are the most beautiful pictures and flowers ever. I didn't know that you lived so close to New York either. You have everything there. I'm jealous. Such a great tulip festival.

No I have never seen a purple grape hyacinth.

And thanks for the warnings about the fires.

Bookie said...

The flower pictures are gorgeous tonight! It is cold again here...cloudy....just not feeling like spring at all!!!!

Mariette said...

Dearest Susan,

Great that you went to Albany, the capital of New York and formerly Fort Orange under the New Netherlands, named after the Dutch Royal House.
Those Muscari are lovely, also in white... BUT rodents do feast on their bulbs. We lost all of them so we gave up on it. Those special events are always newly planted; also in The Netherlands. But you might be lucky; at least have them once and enjoy their fragrance. It's heavenly.
Lots of love,

Mariette

Kathy said...

Love Muscari! This is a sea of Muscari! They go so well with the beautiful Tulip!
I am sure this was a feast for the eyes!
Kathy

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! Those flowers are STUNNING! Thanks for sharing your pictures...

That fire below looks devastating. We did have a fire down the street that totaled a home. Here in the desert fire is a huge fear as it spreads so quickly.

~Liz

AnneMarie said...

I love Muscari! We have them in our garden. They have already been and gone here in the UK unfortunately because of the very early Spring we had this year. Beautiful photographs. Thanks for cheering a dull Monday. Have a grand week! xx

Claus said...

beautiful! I have never heard or seen those around here. Wonder if local weather has a hand in that? They must look amazing in a garden; especially if you get to have as many as in that fair! :o)
have a great day!

Karen Lange said...

So sorry to hear of the fire. Hopefully those who lived there are okay.

Your photos are lovely, so colorful! I have seen Muscari before, but didn't know the name. They do look as though they belong in the Hyacinth family :)

Thanks for sharing,
Karen

mo said...

What beautiful blue flowers. They do remind me of the bluebonnets when I lived in Texas.

No, I was not born in Hawaii, but I found my soul there. *wink*

mo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Susan, what a vibrant and colorful post. Good luck planting the Muscari. It is beautiful! You certainly have so much around you to see and do. I am sure there will be many who will help those who lost everything. Blessings to all, Tammy

Anonymous said...

Hey Susan! I love flowers of any kind in photos....and in real life of course! These gorgeously detailed little purple blossoms are just darling! and yes, I see those all around here!

your last post...about the fire...what a horrible fate for that gorgeous home!
great photos though, if that should even be said of such a bad thing...

ciao bella


Creative Carmelina

Terri Tiffany said...

What beautiful flowers!!! I love the pictures--always so vivid. I hope your day is a good one:))

Carolyn said...

Hi Susan
That was a feast for the eyes! I love muscari with tulips and daffodils.

So sad to see the beautiful Victorian home burn and I am sorry for all those people that lost all their belongings.

Carolyn

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I wish my back hill wasn't so sandy because I would blanket the whole thing with grape hyacinth. Gorgeous photos.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Those are beautiful! I love the bright colors. Great pictures.

diane stetson said...

Susan
Your photos are so lovely. I love all the colors too...send some over to me will you? The flowers I mean!

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