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Grape Hyacinth

Leopoldia comosa (lee-ih-POLD-ee-uh kom-OH-suh)

Family: Asparagaceae Non-native Groundcover (<1 ft)

'Plumosum' is a cultivar of Grape Hyacinths, a flowering bulb in the asparagus family. The 'Plumosum' cultivar is a clump forming perennial distinguished from other grape hyacinths by its open, feathery, violet blooms and branched purple stems that appear in May. The urn-shaped, grape-like flower clusters of other hyacinth species are not present on 'Plumosum'. 'Plumosum' grows best in full sun with average, well-drained soil and consistent moisture during the growing season. However, it will tolerate partial shade, clay soil, and summer drought. Reduce watering later in the season when the foliage begins to die off and the plant goes dormant. The plants may require mulching in the winter and early spring if temperatures go below 24 degrees F. For best results, plant 'Plumosum' 5 inches deep to the base of the bulb, spacing the plants 1 inch apart, or 30 to 60 plants per square foot. If clumps become congested, the plants can be divided. 'Plumosum' is a relatively short plant, maturing to a height of 6 to 9 inches with colorful blooms and is especially useful in borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. May be damaged by Spring frosts if not protected with mulch.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 44 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 5 - Groundcover (<1 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Bulb
Life cycle
Bulb; Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in. | Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Open
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Somewhat floppy clumps of medium green linear, strap shaped leaves to 6 inches long.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Irregular; Urn
Flower detail
Unusual feathery, large, tassel-like plumes of rounded, violet-purple, sterile flowers. Blooms in late spring (May).
Bloom time
Spring
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Mediterranean, southern Europe, Asia Minor
Distribution
Southeastern United States, Britain,
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Naturalized Area; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Woodland
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#showy flowers #mass planting #spring flowers #rock garden #border planting #drought tolerant #spring flowering bulbs #bulb #woodland #violet flowers #perennial bulbs
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Black Walnut; Compaction; Deer; Drought
Propagation
Division

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.