The Azure Grape hyacinth is a compact, bulb (1 to 6 inches high) in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native to Turkey. It has bell-shaped flowers that are not constricted at the opening, giving the flowers a plump and full look. It blooms in mid-spring from April to May. Its hollow leaves resemble onion or garlic but do not have the same odor. The leaves first appear in the fall and grow only from the base of the plant. These plants will form into clumps. The root structure encompasses the bulb, corm, enlarged stem and nutlet. The species epithet is Latin for azure blue. This plant performs best in full to afternoon sun. It does tolerate summer drought, but requires moisture during the growing season. It also tolerates most soil types, including clay. It is frost hardy. Plant bulbs in the fall to a depth of 5 inches and space them 1 inch apart, or 30 to 60 per square foot. Good for use in borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens. This plant is occasionally damaged by deer. When the clumps become crowded or to revitalize the plants, they can be dug up and divided. They will self sow. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pests or diseases. 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.
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
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Open
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow, fleshy, basal, green leaves that appear in autumn and live through the winter to spring when the plants flower.
Flower color
Blue
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Bell; Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
True light blue, with stripes running along each little bell-shaped floret. Blooms mid-spring (April/May). Up to 60 flowers small on each spike. The mouth of the flower forms a bell.
Bloom time
Spring
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Asia minor and Europe
Distribution
Austria, Germany, Southeastern United States.
Food & Medicine
Edibility
These are ornamental bulbs and should not be eaten.