Muscari botryoides - (L.)Mill.

Common Name

Italian Grape Hyacinth, Common grape hyacinth, White Grape Hyacinth

Family

Asparagaceae

USDA hardiness

3-8

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Meadows, thickets and roadsides in Eastern N. America, where it is a garden escape[235].

Range

C. and S.E. Europe.

Edibility Rating

(1 of 5)

Other Uses

(2 of 5)

Weed Potential

Yes

Medicinal Rating

(0 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Taxonomic Note: This genus was formerly classified in the family Agavaceae. Modern classifications include it within the Asparagaceae. Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.

Physical Characteristics

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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Lawn;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:

The flowers and flower buds can be pickled in vinegar[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen, forest garden.

Special Uses

Food Forest Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant[200], it prefers a rich open well-drained soil[1] but succeeds in any soil and situation[1, 42, 90]. The dormant bulbs are very hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -10°c[214]. Does very well in short grass[1], increasing freely and it can become invasive[200]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[200]. The flowers have a scent that resembles the honey-musk scent of buddleia[245]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a greenhouse[200]. 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[1]. It can be done every other year if a quick increase is required[1]. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Belarus, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (incl. Sicily), Romania, France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Liriope muscari	Lilyturf, Big blue lilyturf, Border Grass, Blue Lilyturf, Liriope	Perennial	0.3	5-10	S	LM	SN	DM	2	1	2
Muscari comosum	Tassel Hyacinth, Tassel grape hyacinth	Bulb	0.5	4-8		LMH	SN	DM	3	1	2
Muscari neglectum	Grape Hyacinth, Starch grape hyacinth	Bulb	0.3	4-7	M	LMH	N	DM	2	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Mill.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here