Muscari botryoides
compact grape hyacinth
A clump-forming, bulbous perennial to 20cm high, with narrow, linear green leaves with incurved margins. In spring, produces densely packed spikes of globe-shaped, bright blue flowers with white mouths. Spikes become looser as the flowers mature.
Other common names
sky-blue grape hyacinthbaby's breath
see morebluebottle
starch flower
Greek grape hyacinth
Synonyms
Botryanthus vulgarisMuscari heldreichii
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Muscari are bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped leaves and small bell-shaped, tubular or urn-shaped flowers borne in a dense raceme on an erect leafless stem
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- France to Ukraine
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 10cm deep in autumn in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Lift and divide (when dormant in summer) congested clumps to maintain vigour
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe, or by division, separating offsets when dormant
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Banks and slopes
- Garden edging
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal infections including anther smuts and bluebell rust (see rust diseases), and bacterial soft rot and some virus diseases
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.