Common Grape Hyacinth

(Muscari botryoides)

Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides)

Manu

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Manu

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Manu | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: lilli2de | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Muscari botryoides, commonly known as Common Grape Hyacinth, is a deciduous perennial herb native to open woodlands, meadows, and grassy slopes of Europe as well as the Middle East. It typically grows to a height of 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) and spreads about 2-3 inches (5-8 cm). This plant forms dense clusters of urn-shaped, cobalt-blue flowers that resemble bunches of grapes, hence the common name. The flowers are highly fragrant and appear in early to mid-spring, providing a striking display of color. The foliage is narrow and grass-like, often becoming inconspicuous when the plant is in bloom.

Common Grape Hyacinth is valued for its vibrant blue flowers and ease of maintenance. It is often used in rock gardens, borders, underplanting for deciduous trees, and naturalized areas. It is also popular for container planting and forcing indoors. The plant prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of conditions from full sun to partial shade. While it requires regular watering during the growing season, it is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Over time, it can naturalize and spread to form large colonies. Potential problems include bulb rot in overly wet conditions and damage from slugs and snails.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.5-0.7 feet
Width: 0.1-0.2 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Blue, Purple, White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands, meadows, and grassy slopes in Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as the Middle East

Other Names

Common Names: Small Grape Hyacinth, Almindelig Perlehyacint, Kleine Traubenhyazinthe, Muscari En Grappe, Muscari Faux-Botryde, Muscari Raisin, Pärldruva, Vanlig Pärlhyacint, Pärlhyacint

Scientific Names: , Muscari botryoides, Muscari motelayi, Muscari botryoides subsp. lelievrei, Muscari lelievrei, Muscari kerneri, Muscari transsilvanicum, Muscari longifolium, Botryanthus kerneri, Botryanthus vulgaris

GBIF Accepted Name: Muscari botryoides (L.) Mill.