Muscari azureum
azure grape hyacinth
A compact bulbous perennial to 10cm in height, with narrow, channelled leaves. Small, bell-shaped pale blue flowers, each segment having a darker central stripe, are borne in dense racemes
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- 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
- Turkey
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. May be invasive
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in autumn, in containers in a cold frame or separate offsets in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
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.