Guide to growing garden plants - Muscari Grape Hyacinth

Muscari are grown from bulbs and reach a height of between 10 and 20cm.

This small size makes them ideal for use in rock gardens, or for growing below taller plants such as shrubs.

They have minute spherical flowers of white or purple that are clustered atop a leafless stem; these bloom in the spring.

Common names for Muscari include Grape Hyacinth and Tassel Hyacinth.

How to grow Grape Hyacinth

It is best to grow Grape hyacinth from bulbs in the autumn, these should be burried about 8cm deep and spaced about 5 to 6 cm apart. Grape Hyacinth and other Muscari are able to grow in both sunny and partially shaded areas; the soil should be well drained and slightly acidic to neutral (ph 6 to 7).

If you plan to grow Grape Hyacinth plants from seeds then sow them into flats. Lightly cover the seed, then sink the flat into a shady part of the garden; cover with glass. It can take from six to nine weeks to germinate. Once seedlings have emerged remove the glass cover, and allow to grow for a further year. The bulb can then be transplanted in the autumn.

Caring for grape hyacinth - Muscari

It is fairly easy to look after Grape Hyacinth plants, they should be watered in dry periods, and mulched with manure every autumn. It is best to divide the Muscari plants every four years to maintain vigorous growth. If you require more Muscari plants then they can be propagated by dividing the bulblets in the summer time.