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. 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.
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 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
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in. | Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Open
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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.
Flower color
Blue
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Cream/Tan; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
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.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
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.