Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)
Bulbs
- Deep purple bell-shaped flowers.
- Easy to grow, naturalizes well, & deer-resistant.
- Blooms for weeks in mid-spring.
- Attracts bees, butterflies, & other pollinators!
- Zones 3-9, sun/part sun, up to 8-9” tall x 2” wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
The best time to plant Grape Hyacinth bulbs is in the fall, about 6 weeks before the first frost. This allows time for the bulbs to establish hardy root systems before entering dormancy, ensuring healthy and vibrant blooms come spring.
Details
Common name: Grape Hyacinth
Zones: 3 - 9
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Height x width: 8-9” x 2”
Flower color: Blue/Purple
Foliage color: Green
Planting Time: Fall
Season of Interest: Spring
Bloom Time: Spring
Features: Low-maintenance, spring interest, cut flower, container-friendly, cold-tolerant, fragrant
Uses: Cut flower gardens, landscaping, specimen, flowering hedge, containers, rainbow gardens, cottage gardening, pollinator garden, underplanting
How to Grow
Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day) to part sun (4-6 hrs/day)
Water: Average to low water needs. Water deeply after planting then leave alone until spring.
Planting Depth: 3-6”
Spacing: 10 bulbs per square foot
Fertilizing: Generally, not required. In poor soils, a light application of slow-release fertilizer can be applied at planting time.
Winterizing: No special winterizing is necessary.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.