Grape hyacinth

Muscari armeniacum and other Muscari species (M. botryoides, M. neglectum, M. azureum, M. latifolium, M. comosum) · Asparagus family (Asparagaceae)

At a glance
Hardiness zones	3 to 9
Sun	full sun to part shade
Water	moderate
Life cycle	perennial
Frost	Hardy: takes frost
Soil pH	6.0–7.0
Spacing	2 to 4 inches

About Grape hyacinth

Grape hyacinths are small spring bulbs with tight clusters of cobalt-blue bells that look like tiny bunches of grapes. They aren't true hyacinths. They are easy, cheap and quick to fill in under shrubs and along walks (Wisconsin, NC State, Clemson). They spread fast by offsets and seed and can crowd out other plants; the Tennessee Invasive Plant Council includes M. neglectum in its invasive plant list, so keep them in pots or contained beds near wild areas.

Hardy in zones 3-9 (Wisconsin; NC State lists 4-8). Starch hyacinth (M. neglectum) and feather hyacinth grow especially well in the South (Clemson).

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Plant bulbs in fall, 3-5 inches deep and 2-4 inches apart (Wisconsin, NC State); in Minnesota plant mid-September to mid-October (UMN). New leaves come up in fall and stay through winter; that's normal (NC State, Wisconsin).

Soil

Average, well-drained soil; it handles poor soil and summer drought but needs moisture while growing in fall and spring (NC State).

Average, well-drained soil is fine; for long-term beds, mix bone meal or a slow-release complete fertilizer into the rooting area and keep the pH about 6-7 (Wisconsin, Clemson).

Feeding

After bloom in spring: bone meal. Scatter a light dressing around the clumps after flowering (Wisconsin); follow a soil test.

Water less once the leaves start to die back in late spring (NC State, Wisconsin).

Harvest

Grape hyacinths bloom in mid-spring (March-May) and make sweet little cut flowers; cut when about half the florets on the spike are open (NC State, Oklahoma State). Let the leaves die back on their own after bloom.

Varieties (15)

Variety	Type	Notes
Album	M. armeniacum	Fragrant white flowers; less vigorous than the blue type.
Blue Spike	M. armeniacum	Double, flax-blue florets on branched spikes.
Cantab	M. armeniacum	Sky-blue, lightly scented flowers, 6-9 inches tall.
Carneum	M. armeniacum	Pinkish flowers.
Christmas Pearl	M. armeniacum	Soft violet-blue flowers, 6-9 inches tall.
Fantasy Creation	M. armeniacum	Double blue flowers that may turn greenish as they age.
Saffier	M. armeniacum	Deep blue; sterile, so the flowers last longer.
Superstar	M. armeniacum	Periwinkle florets edged in white, with paler florets on top.
Valerie Finnis	M. armeniacum	One to three stiff 8-inch spikes per bulb of densely packed, cone-shaped, lightly fragrant blue flowers.
Tassel hyacinth	Muscari comosum	Purplish-brown flowers on 8-12 inch stems.
Feather hyacinth	Muscari comosum 'Plumosum'	Sterile, threadlike purple-blue flowers in a feathery plume.
Starch hyacinth	Muscari neglectum	Blue flowers; spreads quickly by seed and offset bulbs.
Muscari azureum	Species	Bright blue flowers that open wider than M. armeniacum, 4-6 inches tall; a white form exists.
Muscari botryoides	Species	Looks almost the same as M. armeniacum.
Muscari latifolium	Species	One broad leaf per bulb; two-tone spikes, pale blue on top and nearly black-blue below, 6-12 inches tall.

Pests to watch for

Deer

In the kitchen

Safety: Grown only as an ornamental; NC State's Plant Toolbox lists no poison warning for it. Don't eat the bulbs.

Pets: Not toxic to dogs, cats or horses (ASPCA lists Muscari armeniacum as non-toxic).

Sources

Photo: Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0). Photo resized for the web.

Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.