Compact grape hyacinth is a small, purple and white, clump-forming, flowering spring bulb in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) native to central and southern Europe. The species epithet means "like clusters of grapes" and refers to the appearance of the flowers on the inflorescence. Compact grape hyacinth bulbs are easy to grow and should be planted in the fall, spacing 3 inches apart and 2 inches deep in well-drained soil and sited in full sun to partial shade. Grape hyacinth tolerates most soil types, including clay. Keep the soil moist during the spring growing season, but reduce watering after foliage begins to die back. Plants will remain dormant from late spring to autumn when leaves again appear. Mass plantings of Compact grape hyacinth along walkways, in border fronts, or near patios are a popular application of these ornamental flowers. They also look especially lovely planted along with daffodils as their color contrasts nicely with the yellow flowering bulbs. They can be divided to restore vigor to the plant. It naturalizes easily and is often seen along roadsides and disturbed areas, meadows, and thickets in Eastern North America, where it is a garden escape. However, it is said to be much less invasive than M. atlanticum . Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious diseases or insect problems. More information on Muscari .
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | 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); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 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; Columnar; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow, linear green leaves with incurved margins.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Urn
Flower detail
Flowers are bright blue with white lobes, bunched together and almost totally round. Spikes become looser as the flowers mature. The lower fertile flowers point downwards, while upper ones, usually paler and sterile, point upwards. The flowers have a scent that resembles the honey-musk scent of buddleia.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Capsule
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
France, central Europe, Ukraine
Distribution
England, Netherlands, eastern Canada, eastern United States south to North Carolina, west to Texas, and California.
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Bulbs are ornamental and should not be eaten.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; English Garden; Fairy Garden; Rock Garden