About Grape Hyacinth Plants
Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is a perennial bulb that blossoms in the spring. It is a member of the Liliaceae family (lily) and is native to southeastern Europe. Its common name is in reference to the small, bell-shaped, clusters of cobalt blue flowers that resemble a bunch of grapes. The botanical name of Muscari hails from the Greek for musk and is an allusion to the sweet, aromatic scent emitted by the flowers. Most grape hyacinth varieties are frost-resistant, bee attractors, and naturalize easily into the landscape. Some people find this ability to multiply invasive, but these little beauties are so resilient, I just pull out those that I feel are wandering into areas they have no business with. Conversely, a massive stand of grape hyacinth bulbs is an eye-popping garden feature. In fact, one of the most photographed scenes at the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland is a dense planting of M. armeniacum aptly named the Blue River. Grape hyacinth is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 (except M. latifolium, which does best in USDA zones 2-5) and is unflappable in almost any soil but prefers well-draining, sandy, alkaline soils in full sun. These small plants (4-8 inches or 10-20.5 cm. tall) produce one to three flower stalks laden with 20-40 flowers per stalk. Plant the bulbs in the fall, placing them 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) deep and 2 inches (5 cm.) apart. An inclusion of bone meal at planting and again post-bloom will improve the overall health of the plants. Water well during active growth and flowering and reduce once the foliage begins to die back.
Types of Grape Hyacinths
The most common grape hyacinth varieties are those of M. armeniacum and M. botryoides. M. armeniacum is favored for its vigor and larger bloom size while M. botryoides is desired as the most cold-hardy amongst the hyacinths and include:
‘Album,’ which has a white flower ‘Blue Spike,’ with double blue blossoms ‘Fantasy Creation,’ also with double blue flowers that may become tinged with green as the blossom ages ‘Saffier,’ with its longer-lasting blue blossoms ‘Superstar,’ with periwinkle blue florets tinged with white
Besides these more common grape hyacinths, there are a number of other varieties.
M. azureum is a tiny, 4- to 6-inch (10-15 cm.) brilliant, blue bloomer. There is also a white cultivar called Alba. M. comosum is also called tassel hyacinth in reference to the shape of its column of blooms. This larger varietal grows to 8-12 inches (20.5-30.5 cm.), producing blossoms of purplish-brown. M. latifolium will grow to about a foot (30.5 cm.) in height and is native to the Turkish pine forests. It produces a single leaf and bicolored flowers of pale blue on top and dark blue-black florets at the bottom of the flower column. M. plumosum, or feather hyacinth, has purple-blue flowers that look much akin to a feathery plume.
Whichever variety of grape hyacinth you choose, they will add a gorgeous pop of color to the otherwise as yet drab garden in the early spring. If you allow them to multiply, successive years will bring a carpet of blue and is especially nice when allowed to naturalize under trees and shrubs. Grape hyacinths also make lovely cut flowers and are easy bulbs to force indoors for even earlier colorful blooms.
