If you want a hardy easy to grow spring-blooming bulb try the Grape Hyacinth. These blooms usually come in a bright blue. However, some plantslike M. comosum, with its yellowish tan flowers with a hint of purple, come in multi-colors.
M. latifolium is a unique blend of color with purple blooms on the bottom and bright blue flowers on the top of the plant. The Grape Hyacinth variety ‘Album’ is a bright white and grows up to 10 inches tall. And the M. armeniacum Grape Hyacinth called ‘Blue Spike’ has gorgeous purplish blue flowers.
Planting Locations
Grape Hyacinths fit well in so many places. Try planting them in window boxes under your front windows. The bright blue of the Grape Hyacinths will really
stand out against a white or pale colored home. Or, put them in pots running up your front steps. Intersperse the white and purple varieties for a very bold statement of welcome.
The rock garden is a very effective area to plant some Grape Hyacinths. Plant them in small groups amongst the rocks. The white variety will especially stand out amongst the gray stones of your rock garden.
Grape Hyacinths planted along a flower border look quite lovely. Try planting Plumosum, also known as Feather Hyacinth, for an unusual look. Its flowers are a feather-like lavender on stems that can get up to 1 foot tall.
Place Grape Hyacinths with other spring bulbs in a large container. It will produce a spot of spring on your patio. Just make sure the pot has good drainage.
Planting Buddies
Try grouping purple and red blooms together. Begin with ‘Muscari Blue’ Grape Hyacinths. Add some fire engine red tulips. Plant the smaller Hyacinths in front of ‘Red Riding Hood’ tulips. This will create quite a splash of early spring color.
Add some Grape Hyacinth bulbs along with Crocuses to your lawn to create a meadow of blooms. Plant Crocuses in colors of purple and white. Then add some ‘Early Giant’ Grape Hyacinth bulbs of cobalt blue. You might also want to include the white-rimmed almost black blue blooms of M. neglectum. Just be sure not to mow your lawn until the foliage from these bulbs has died away.
Plant Grape Hyacinth bulbs under spring blooming trees like Dogwood. Or, arrange bulbs in front of early flowering shrubs like Azaleas. The Grape Hyacinth M. azureum with its violet and blue striped blooms will look lovely.
Purchasing and Planting
Buy the largest bulbs you can find. Make sure they are firm to the touch. Do not purchase bulbs that are soft or show signs of rot. Make sure you bulbs do not have any mold or mildew or show signs of growth.
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Several weeks before you plant your bulbs in early fall treat your soil. Add in compost and bone meal and mix the soil well up to 7 inches deep. Dig out the top 2 inches of soil and place the bulbs in the hole pointed sides up. Place your bulbs about 5 inches apart and cover with soil.
To prevent vermin from digging up the bulbs cover with chicken wire and sprinkle soil on top of the wire. Remove the wire in late winter or early spring before they start to grow.
Once the foliage has died rake over it and remove the material.
If your Grape Hyacinths have been growing for a few years dig them up and divide the bulbs.
If your Grape Hyacinths have been growing for a few years dig them up and divide the bulbs.
Growing Tips
Grape Hyacinths like full sun or partial shade. If you live in a warmer climate plant the Hyacinths in partial shade so they will bloom longer. The soil should be rich and well-drained.
Do not fertilize Grape Hyacinths. They will not respond well to this treatment.
Squirrels love the Grape Hyacinth bulbs. If you plant Daffodils or Scilla with your Grape Hyacinth bulbs it will keep these pests away. Or spray the soil with pepper sauce in hot water.
Seasonal Care
In early fall plant new Grape Hyacinth bulbs. If you wish to force some of your bulbs to grow for indoor displays then place them in your refrigerator at this time.
In mid-to late fall you can force the Grape Hyacinth you stored in your refrigerator in early fall. This will make for some lovely color throughout the drab winter.
In early summer divide bulbs if you wish. Otherwise just let them stay in the ground through the summer and they will spread rapidly on their own.
Quick Facts
Grape Hyacinths are spring bloomers. They are disease resistant and easy to care for. Grape Hyacinths do well as cut flowers. They come in many varieties and they grow best in zones 3-8 in full sun or partial shade. Soil should be well-drained. Grape Hyacinths will spread out to 8 inches and grow as tall as 12 inches. Appropriately named, the plant’s small spherical blooms arranged in large groups on a stalk truly look like bright blue grapes growing in your spring garden.
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