Italian Grape Hyacinth, Common grape hyacinth, White Grape Hyacinth
Muscari botryoides
Family: Hyacinthaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.
Muscari botryoides is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Meadows, thickets and roadsides in Eastern N. America, where it is a garden escape.
C. and S.E. Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The flowers and flower buds can be pickled in vinegar.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen, forest garden.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
A very easily grown plant, it prefers a rich open well-drained soil but succeeds in any soil and situation. The dormant bulbs are very hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -10°c. Does very well in short grass, increasing freely and it can become invasive. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value. The flowers have a scent that resembles the honey-musk scent of buddleia. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a greenhouse. The seed can also be sown in early spring in a greenhouse. A good proportion of the seed usually germinates within 2 - 3 months. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be left undisturbed in the pot for their first year of growth. Give them an occasional liquid feed in the growing season to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants become dormant in late summer, pot up the small bulbs placing 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another one or two years in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer. Division of offsets in July/August after the leaves die down. It can be done every other year if a quick increase is required. Larger bulbs can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Lawn;
Habit: Bulb
Hardiness: 3-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist