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Grape hyacinth Muscari

Previously known as:

  • Botryanthus
  • Botrycomus
  • Comus
  • Eubotrys
  • Moscharea
Phonetic Spelling
moo-SKAR -ee
Description

Muscari is the genus of spring-blooming perennial bulbs known as grape hyacinths. They have grass-like foliage and clusters of tiny fragrant bell-shaped flowers. Most plants have blue-colored flowers but depending on the species or varieties other colors such as white, pink, or yellow are available. Grape hyacinths are best planted in the fall and will typically bloom early to mid-spring. They add spectacular color to the garden. They are members of the Asparagaceae or asparagus family.

They are native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and Central Asia.

The name of the genus, Muscari, is derived from the Greek word for musk and refers to the scent produced by most of the species in this genus. 

Grape hyacinths prefer full sun to partial shade. They are tolerant of chalk, clay, sandy, and loamy soils and prefer acidic to neutral pH. Moist, well-drained soil is required in the spring. It is best to reduce watering when the foliage begins to die back. Excess water will cause the bulbs to rot. The plant is typically dormant from late spring to autumn.  Allow the foliage to yellow and fade away. This will allow the plant to produce energy for the next year's flowers.

Grape hyacinths are easy to grow, and the bulbs are best planted in the fall. Plant the bulbs about 2-3 inches deep and about 2-3 inches apart. The plants will naturalize over time. The plants are deer and rabbit resistant. Butterflies and bees pollinate the flowers. 

They are great companion plants to other flowering bulbs or perennials. Grape hyacinths look best when planted in at least quantities of 25 bulbs in a small garden. Planting the bulbs beneath deciduous trees or shrubs will add spring color to your home garden. 

Consider planting grape hyacinths in rock gardens, pollinator gardens, and cottage gardens or using them as a border plant. For a more dramatic effect, consider mass plantings for spectacular color in the spring. They are also very popular as container plants.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Early to Mid-Spring    Foliage:  Spring 

Quick ID Hints:

  • spring-flowering bulb
  • long-lasting grass-like foliage
  • spikes of tiny bell-shaped blue flowers or hyacinth-like
  • plant measures 6 to 9 inches tall and up to 6 inches wide

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no serious insect or disease problems. Aphids and spider mites may be seen. The yellow mosaic virus can occur.

The NC State Extension Publications list includes a factsheet on the Narcissus Bulb Fly which is known to frequent this plant.  

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Muscari botryoides
    Common name: Common Grape Hyacinth
  • Muscari comosum
    Common name: Tassel Hyacinth
Muscari botryoides, Muscari comosum
Tags:
#bulb#full sun tolerant#easy to grow#low maintenance#spring flowers#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#spring flowering bulbs#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#container plant#butterfly garden#pollinator garden#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Muscari botryoides
    Common name: Common Grape Hyacinth
  • Muscari comosum
    Common name: Tassel Hyacinth
Muscari botryoides, Muscari comosum
Tags:
#bulb#full sun tolerant#easy to grow#low maintenance#spring flowers#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#spring flowering bulbs#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#container plant#butterfly garden#pollinator garden#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Muscari
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Mediterranean, to Central Asia
    Distribution:
    Native: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechoslovakia, East European Russia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South European Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Yugoslavia. Introduced: Canada--British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, Great Britain, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Australia, United States--AL, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WW, and WI
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a green to a tan capsule that measures about 1/8 inch in diameter. The capsules appear in late spring to early summer. The capsule will split and release several seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The blooms are spikes of showy, fragrant, tiny, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in early to mid-spring. Most species are blue, but yellow, pink, and white varieties are available.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The foliage is green and grass-like. The leaves grow at the base of the plant, and the blade is narrow, linear, and fleshy. The blades may measure from 6 to 12 inches long and less than 1-inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    English Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Rabbits