Muscari azureum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hyacinthella azurea
- Pseudomuscari azureum
- Phonetic Spelling
- mus-KAR-ee a-ZOOR-ee-um
- Description
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The Azure Grape hyacinth is a compact, bulb (1 to 6 inches high) in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native to Turkey. It has bell-shaped flowers that are not constricted at the opening, giving the flowers a plump and full look. It blooms in mid-spring from April to May. Its hollow leaves resemble onion or garlic but do not have the same odor. The leaves first appear in the fall and grow only from the base of the plant. These plants will form into clumps. The root structure encompasses the bulb, corm, enlarged stem and nutlet. The species epithet is Latin for azure blue.
This plant performs best in full to afternoon sun. It does tolerate summer drought, but requires moisture during the growing season. It also tolerates most soil types, including clay. It is frost hardy.
Plant bulbs in the fall to a depth of 5 inches and space them 1 inch apart, or 30 to 60 per square foot. Good for use in borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens. This plant is occasionally damaged by deer. When the clumps become crowded or to revitalize the plants, they can be dug up and divided. They will self sow.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious pests or diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pseudomuscari
- Species:
- azureum
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia minor and Europe
- Distribution:
- Austria, Germany, Southeastern United States.
- Edibility:
- These are ornamental bulbs and should not be eaten.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- True light blue, with stripes running along each little bell-shaped floret. Blooms mid-spring (April/May). Up to 60 flowers small on each spike. The mouth of the flower forms a bell.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow, fleshy, basal, green leaves that appear in autumn and live through the winter to spring when the plants flower.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
