Grape hyacinth

Description

The grape hyacinth, or Armenian grape hyacinth, is a small bulbous perennial of the asparagus family. Growing 15-20 centimetres tall, it forms tufts of narrow, strap-shaped leaves from which short flower spikes rise in spring. The flowers, tiny and urn-shaped, are an intense blue-violet, arranged in dense clusters that resemble small upside-down bunches of grapes. There are also white and pink varieties.

Origin and distribution

It is native to the eastern Mediterranean, from Greece and Turkey to the Caucasus, including Armenia, which gives it its name. It grows wild in open woods and meadows, and is widely cultivated in gardens around the world.

Cultivation

It is a very easy, hardy bulb, perfect for borders, beds and woodland. It wants full sun or part shade and a well-drained soil. The bulbs are planted in autumn; the leaves often appear before winter. After spring flowering the plant goes into summer dormancy. It naturalises easily, forming broad flowery carpets over time.

• Plant the bulbs in autumn, a few centimetres deep
• Let the foliage die down after flowering
• Divide the bulbs when the clumps become too dense

Did you know?

Grape hyacinths are among the flowers most loved by bees in early spring. Their early flowering and intense blue make them ideal for creating drifts of colour under deciduous trees and shrubs.