Muscari (grape hyacinth) — Clump forming, Columnar upright

Overview

Muscari is a clump forming, columnar upright bulbs in the genus Muscari, part of the Asparagaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Muscari grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, wildflower meadow, wildlife gardens, banks and slopes, garden edging and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Central European Russia, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf States, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, South European Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

About

Muscari is a bulbous plant that produces clumps of columnar, upright flower spikes in March to May. The foliage is deciduous and dies back after flowering. It suits full sun on south- or west-facing sites and tolerates a wide range of soils, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. Rated H6 (very hardy), it will grow in both exposed and sheltered positions.

About the genus

Muscari is a genus of perennial bulbous plants native to Eurasia that produce spikes of dense, most commonly blue, urn-shaped flowers resembling bunches of grapes in the spring. The common name for the genus is grape hyacinth, but they should not be confused with hyacinths.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Muscari

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Muscari size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Bulbs
Habit: Clump forming, Columnar upright
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens, Banks and slopes, Garden edging, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Native to: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Central European Russia, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf States, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, South European Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Muscari

Propagation: Division of established clumps, separating offsets when dormant in summer
Pest resistance: Generally pest-free
Disease resistance: May be susceptible to fungal infections including anther smuts and bluebell rust, bacterial soft rot, some virus diseases

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Muscari?

Muscari prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Muscari need?

Muscari is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.

Is Muscari hardy in the UK?

Muscari has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Muscari?

Division of established clumps, separating offsets when dormant in summer.

More in the Muscari genus

Browse all Muscari →