Scientific Name
Muscari azureum (Hyacinthella azurea)
Common Name
Grape Hyacinth
MUSCARI
azureum (Light blue flowers)
(Hyacinthella azurea)
A. Flowering Characteristics
Muscari azureum flowers in medium spring (April/May) for 3-4 weeks and plants are usually 6 inches tall. Some selections are fragrant.
B. General Characteristics
1. Origin of species: Asia minor and Europe
2. Common names: Grape Hyacinth
3. Geophyte organ: Tunicated bulb
4. Hardiness type: Hardy III - Injured at temperatures below 5 degrees F (-15C) when planted.
5. Natural reproductive systems and growth and development requirements: Muscari reproduces by offsets and requires a warm (65 to 75F) - cool (28 to 32F) - warm (55 to 65F) annual thermoperiodic cycle.
6. Primary uses: Borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens.
C. Cultural Information
1. Bulb sizes: 5/6, 6/up cm, in circumference.
2. Planting density: 0-1 inches apart, 30-60 per sq. ft. Can be scattered in meadow areas and among trees and shrubs.
3. Planting depth: 5 inches to base of the bulb.
4. Planting time: Fall
5. Perennialization habit: 1990 USDA Climatic Zones 3 to 7 without mulch.
6. Light requirements: Full sunlight to PM or AM only sunlight.
7. Moisture: Tolerates summer drought, but requires moisture during growing season.
8. Animal susceptibility: Not normally susceptible.
D. Companion Plants:
Alyssum, Arabis, Centaurea dealbata, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Digitalis, Forsythia, Gypsophila paniculata, Hemerocallis (yellow cvs.), Iris (rhizomatous white and yellow cvs.), Kniphofia (yellow cvs.), Narcissus, Peonies (white and yellow cvs.), Yellow tulip cultivars, Verbascum (white cvs.), Rhododendron spp. (deciduous and evergreen), Cotoneaster, Berberis, Acer palmatum, Deutzia gracilis, Weigela.

Holland Technical Service Bulletin Number 37 was prepared for the WWW system by A.A. De Hertogh, L.B. Gallitano, G. Hartley, M.E. Traer, and A.B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University. The information was obtained not only from original research conducted by the authors but also from databases released by other sources. This Bulletin was published by the International Flower Bulb Center (IBC), Hillegom, the Netherlands on behalf of the Dutch Flower Bulb Industry. Because of the various climates in North America and year-to-year variability of the weather, the IBC cannot and does not accept responsibility for divergent results that may arise using information obtained from this document or site. Photographs copyright @1997 by A.B. Russell and A.A. De Hertogh. Computer programming by Miguel Buendia, graphics by Brad Capel.