John Grimshaw mentioned Muscari comosum 'plumosum'. I grow this too and it's a favorite. Evidently it's a plant of ancient origin, as similar plants (presumably the same plant) are illustrated in the late sixteenth-early seventeenth century herbals. It's got the most unusual color: a sort of pearly gray-rose which reminds me of the color seen in mourning doves. It's an amazing little plant, yet rarely seen in the gardens I visit. I've heard various stories about the origin of this plant, including one which claims that it is of north African origin. Its hardiness seems to suggest otherwise. And then there is the question posed by the distinction made in some older books between 'plumosum' and 'monstrosum'; evidently they were not the same, although several hundred years of clonal propagation of one original stock is enough time to induce plenty of variation. Does anyone know any other stories to account for the origin of this intriguing old antique? Jim McKenney Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where I'll bet that a cross between Muscari comosum 'plumosum' and Muscari (Bellevalia) longipes would be totally cool!