Muscari -Grape Hyacinth

Muscari
A genus of bulbaceous plants within the larger Liliaceae family, that are mostly small with grassy leaves and urn-shaped flowers, up to 0.5 inches, that are borne in inflorescences. The flowers on most species are borne during early spring.
Typically hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade, the Muscaris are great for naturalizing large areas in the landscape creating drifts of color during early spring.
They are easy to grow and multiply quickly. Deer resistant and drought tolerant. Propagation is from division or seed.
The bulbs should be planted 3 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Early to mid-autumn is the best time to plant.

* photos taken on April 14 2010 in Columbia, MD






* photos of unknown source on internet






* photos taken on Mar 26 2012 in Columbia, MD




* photo taken on Apr 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

Muscari armeniacum
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum height of 15 inches, that is native to the Balkans, northeastern Turkey and the Caucasus.
The blue-green, linear leaves, up to 12 x 0.3 in length, appear during autumn and persist through the winter into spring.
The fragrant, mid-blue ( edged in white ) flowers, up to 0.2 inches, are borne in dense but short, tapered spikes during early spring.
Hardy zones 2 to 8

'Blue Spike'
Sterile, double blue flowers borne in dense inflorescences that are larger than average for the species.

'Cantab'
Bright blue flowers.

'Early Giant'
Fragrant flowers borne in large inflorescences.

'Sapphire'
Long lasting blue flowers.

Muscari aucheri
Vigorous, reaching up to 6 inches in height. Great for naturalizing. It is native to Turkey.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

Muscari azureum
Reaches a maximum height of 10 inches, with leaves up to 8 inches in length. It is native to Turkey.
The narrow foliage is gray-green.
The bright blue, tubular flowers are borne during late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 2 to 8

Muscari botryoides ( Common Grape Hyacinth )
Reaches up to 12 x 6 inches, with leaves up to 10 x 0.3 inches in size. It is native to western Europe from France to Germany.
The deep blue ( white rimmed ), rounded flowers are borne during early spring.

* photos taken on Apr 15 2013 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Apr 7 2017 in Columbia, MD

* historic archive photo

'Album'
White flowers.

'Carneum'
Pink flowers.

'Caeruleum'
Bright blue flowers.

Muscari comosum ( Tassel Hyacinth )
A rapid growing Eurasian native, reaching up to 18 or rarely 32 inches in height, with leaves up to 18 inches in length. The foliage is mid-green.
Both sterile purple flowers and abundant olive-green fertile flowers are contained within the loose inflorescences, borne during mid spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

Muscari latifolium ( Bicolor Grape Hyacinth )
Reaches up to 15 inches in height, and is native to high mountains in Turkey. Each bulb has 1 or 2 leaves, up to 12 x 2 inches. The foliage is mid-green.
The flowers are violet-blue, lightening to bright blue towards the top of the dense panicle.
Hardy zones 4 to 8. It is rarely bothered by rodents.

Muscari macrocarpum
Reaches up to 10 x 6 inches, with arching leaves, up to 16 inches in length. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region.
The fragrant, bright yellow ( edged in brown ), tubular flowers, up to 1.3 inches in length, are borne in somewhat loose inflorescences.

Muscari neglectum
Reaches up to 9, rarely 12 inches in height, with leaves up to 16 inches in length. It can quickly spread and reproduce and become a nuisance in some gardens.
The fragrant flowers are very deep blue and edged in white.

Muscari paradoxum
Reaches up to 1 foot, with leaves up to 18 x 0.8 inches. The very deep blue ( with greenish insides and edges ) flowers are borne in broad inflorescences on a thick, sturdy stalk during late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Muscari racemosum ( Musk Hyacinth )
Native from southern Europe to central Asia; south to northern Africa and the Middle East. It can reach up to 1 foot in height with leaves, up to 12 x 0.2 inches. The foliage which emerges during late summer, persists until mid-summer the following year.
The flowers, up to 0.2 inches, are deep blue-purple ( with white rims ), borne during early to mid spring.

'Majus'
Larger flowers.

Muscari tubergenianum ( Grape Hyacinth )
Reaches up to 1 foot, with leaves up to 10 inches in length. It is native to northwestern Iran.
The deep blue ( pale blue tipped ) flowers are borne in tapered inflorescences during early spring.