Fall bulbs, add spring colour to the landscape and a little bulb that adds a punch of colour and fragrance to the landscape is the ‘Muscari’, commonly known as ‘Grape Hyacinth. They are most commonly known for their beautiful blue flowers, that resemble a small bunch of grapes. The flowers consist of many round tiny florets that grow on a main stem. Muscari varieties also include pink coloured flowers, such as the new ‘Pink Sunrise’, and white (White Magic). Muscari are not a tall flower, only growing 15-30 tall, making them ideal for borders, rock gardens, and underplanting with other spring flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. They are also very good for naturalizing under deciduous trees and shrubs.

 

Grape Hyacinths are an easy to grow bulb that do not require a lot of care or maintenance once they have been planted. They are able to stay in the ground for many years and will slowly spread as they multiply quite easily. The bulbs are available in the garden centres now and are planted in late summer/early fall. Plant the bulb in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. They are tolerant of most soils, but do not like to be kept in soggy wet conditions, as this will cause the bulb to rot. The soil should be well drained, so make sure that in the spring, when the snow melts the bulbs are not in an area where the melted snow puddles for any length of time. For the best display, plant grape hyacinths in groups or drifts of at least 25 bulbs or more to a planting. They should be planted at a depth of 10-15 cm and spread 5-8 cm apart. Try to plant the bulb with the flat side down and the pointed end up. I always like to sprinkle some bonemeal in the hole before planting the bulbs as this helps in getting a good root system growing which is important before the frost sets into the ground. After the bulbs have been planted, give the planted area a good soaking of water, and make sure that the soil is moist before the frost sets into the ground.

 

They will bloom the following spring. The flowers are longer lasting then many other spring flowering bulbs as the flowers open up gradually and so grape hyacinths can be seen blooming for 3-4 weeks depending on the temperatures.

 

After they have finished blooming the finished flowers are removed but the foliage must remain to die back naturally. The grass-like foliage, gathers sunlight that creates food which in turn strengthens the bulb so that it can produce a new flower next spring. The foliage can be removed, when it has completely died and can be easily removed from the bulb. The parent bulb will produce offsets (small bulbs) which is one way the bulb reproduces. If after a few years you want to divide the clumps of bulbs, wait till mid summer after the foliage has yellowed and begins to die. Dig up the clump, divide the bulbs and immediately replant the bulbs.

 

Grape hyacinths are one of the easiest spring flowering bulbs to look after. They can remain in the ground for years, reproduce easily, and are rarely bothered by pests and disease.