Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum)

Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum) is a bulbous (or similar) plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and up to 10cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum).

This plant has several common names including: common grape hyacinth, grape flower or starch hyacinth.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: common grape hyacinth, grape flower, starch hyacinth
Scientific name: Muscari neglectum
Plant type: Bulbs
Habit: Tufted
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: Up to 10cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden, Wildflower meadow
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Ground Cover, Hedging & Screens, Low Maintenance

Seasonal colors

How to plant Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum) – DenesFeri, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bulbous plants are found all over the world in habitats as diverse as woods, meadows, riverbanks, rocky hills and mountains.

There are bulbs suitable for all types of garden design.

Most have their own limited flowering season, but with careful planning it is possible to combine this period of interest with the other plants in the garden.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

• Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Muscari neglectum likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.

Sunlight

Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Common grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons