- Grape Hyacinth Varieties and Species: How Many Are There?
- An overview of the most beautiful Muscari varieties and species
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Anyone who has not yet de alt with the popular early bloomers will be amazed at the diversity of species and varieties that characterizes the grape hyacinth genus.
The types and varieties of grape hyacinth (Muscari) differ in their flower shape and color, growth height and location requirements, among other things. The Armenian grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) and the small grape hyacinth (Muscari botryoides) are very popular. We will present these and many more to you in more detail below.
Grape Hyacinth Varieties and Species: How Many Are There?
The genus Muscari includes about 60 species, in particular some hybrid forms, i.e. forms bred by crossing different species. A large proportion of these variants occur in Turkey, but parts of Spain, Greece and other areas are also considered to be their homeland. About 10 of these species are used as ornamental plants in our gardens. There is a special selection of varieties, which we will present to you - the Armenian grape hyacinth in particular is very well known and convinces with a large variety of varieties.
An overview of the most beautiful Muscari varieties and species
In the following we will give you an overview of which grape hyacinth species and varieties have which special features and properties. How to plant and care for grape hyacinths - you can find out more about this in our forwarding article.
Armenian grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)
The Armenian grape hyacinth is a naturalized species in Germany and typically grows on alpine meadows, rocky slopes or on sunny woody edges. The soils at the natural sites are usually dry in the summer and only fresh in winter and spring due to the precipitation. 10 to 20 cm high clumps are formed by the formation of daughter tubers of the early summer green plant. The flowering period of this species extends from the end of March to the end of April. Muscariarmeniacum is suitable for planting in large groups and mass stands, but also for use in planters. This species feels noticeably well in sunny, warm locations with suitable soil and spreads quickly. Naturalization via daughter tubers and self-sowing is to be expected here in any case.
- Muscari armeniacum ˈPeppermintˈ: The buds of this variety are initially white, then delicate light blue flowers with a slight white transition develop, one have solid, robust substance. ˈPeppermintˈ is particularly floriferous.
- Muscari armeniacum ˈBlue Spikeˈ: The flowers of ˈBlue Spikeˈ are medium blue in color and arranged in doubles, giving the inflorescence a pompously swollen appearance.
- Muscari armeniacum ˈSiberian Tigerˈ: This variety is a variant of the Armenian grape hyacinth with pure white flowers.
- Muscari armeniacum ˈTouch of Snowˈ: The striking two-tone of the flowers makes this variety a real eye-catcher. At the top of the inflorescence they are white and those below are mid-blue and edged with white.
Small grape hyacinth (Muscari botryoides)
The small grape hyacinth is classified as endangered and in Germany it is mainly found in the Black Forest, on the Swabian Jura and in parts of the foothills of the Alps. It prefers more or less fresh soil in a full sun to partially shaded spot. In contrast to most other species, it has no daughter tubers and therefore only multiplies by self-seeding. It forms airy stands that are about 15 to 20 cm high. The odorless flowers appear from early April to early May. The small grape hyacinth is also suitable for group plantings in borders or on sunny wood edges as well as for planting in containers. This is recommended to avoid further spread.
- Muscari botryoides ˈAlbumˈ: The pure white flowers of the variety ˈAlbumˈ open up a wide range of possible combinations with other bulbous flowers that harmonize in color.
- Muscari botryoides ˈSuperstarˈ: The elegant flower clusters of this species are cornflower blue. Each individual flower is adorned with a pretty white ring.
Broad-leaved grape hyacinth (Muscari latifolium)
The natural habitat of the broad-leaved pigeon hyacinth is in montane vegetation zones. There the species is mainly found in sparse coniferous and mixed forests. The soils in the sunny to partially shaded locations are often dry during the summer months - fresh again in winter and spring. A clear feature that distinguishes the broad-leaved grape hyacinth from the other species is the broad shape of the one or two bluish-green leaves. It is one of the strongest grape hyacinth species and grows to a height of 15 to 25 cm. In the case of the broad-leaved grape hyacinth, propagation also takes place mainly through seeding, as it hardly ever forms daughter bulbs. The characteristic, two-tone flowers appear from early April to early May.
- Muscari latifolium ˈGrape Iceˈ: The creamy white flower buds of this variety change color from grey-blue to blue-black and thus offer an attractive contrast.
Vineyard Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum)
In Germany, native specimens of the vineyard grape hyacinth are mainly found in the central and southern German warm regions. This species is also known under the names Weinbergs-Träubel and Unknown grape hyacinth. Preferred locations are generally sunny-warm or semi-shady on alkaline-rich mineral soils with little stone content and moderately dry to summer-dry conditions. Due to the propagation via daughter tubers, this species forms clumps with a height of 10 to 20 cm. Vineyard grape hyacinth flowers from mid-March to mid-April. Due to the secondary tuber formation and rich self-sowing, lawn-like stocks form in suitable locations.
Tip: Grape hyacinths such as Muscari neglectum, which reproduce intensively by self-sowing, can be combined with a flower meadow such as the Plantura bee pasture can be ideally used in the concept of black box gardening.
- Muscari neglectum ˈBaby's Breathˈ: The charming flowers of this variety are pale sky blue in color with a slight gray tinge.
- Muscarineglectum ˈValerie Finnisˈ: The buds of the cultivar ˈValerie Finnisˈ are light sky blue and turn into bright sky blue flowers. This variety is usually the cheapest option.
Grape hyacinth (Leopoldia comosa; Syn. Muscari comosum)
In the trade, the varieties of this species are often still offered under the outdated name Muscari comosum. Natural occurrence areas in Germany of the extremely warmth-loving species are, for example, in the upper Rhine plain, in the Harz foreland and the eastern Franconian Jura. The crested grape hyacinth is found on well-drained mineral soils in dry to moderately dry conditions and in full sun to part shade. Depending on the location, the plant can reach considerable heights of between 30 and 60 cm. This wild species has an unusual inflorescence, the upper part of which has an intensely violet tuft of sterile lures. In contrast, the lower part is covered with horizontally protruding, violet-blue to brownish, fertile flowers. This extravagant color phenomenon can only be admired in May.
- Leopoldia comosa ˈMonstrosumˈ: The branched flowers of this variety are all sterile and purple in colour. This creates a feathery, cloudy bud in a rather artificial way.
- Leopoldia comosa ˈPlumosumˈ: The almost otherworldly inflorescences of ˈPlumosumˈ also have a feathery appearance and all the violet individual flowers are sterile.
Aucher grape hyacinth (Muscari aucheri)
The Aucher grape hyacinth is mainly found on humus-poor and alkaline and calcareous mineral soils in full sun to sunny locations. Their permeable soils are fresh to dry depending on the season. With flowers, the wild species reaches a height of 10 to 15 cm. The flowering period can last from mid-April to May. The traded varieties of the Aucher grape hyacinth are generally hybrid forms.
- Muscari aucheri ˈWhite Magicˈ: The inflorescence of this variety is pale creamy yellow when it buds. Later it is pure white with a creamy yellow tip.
- Muscari aucheri ˈOcean Magicˈ: The appealing variety ˈOcean Magicˈ has a turquoise-green colour budding inflorescence, which is then covered in three colors with dark blue flowers, grey-sky blue buds and white buds at the top.
Sky blue grape hyacinth (Pseudomuscari azureum; Syn. Muscari azureum)
The obsolete name Muscari azureum is often still used for this species. The sky-blue grape hyacinth thrives on humus-rich, not too stony soil, which is dry or fresh depending on the season. The full sun to sunny location should not be forgotten. The two to three boat-shaped leaves of the sky blue grape hyacinth are relatively wide. The bright blue hue of the inflorescences, seen from mid-March to mid-April, is a distinctive feature of this species. A blue stripe is also usually seen on the flowers. The sky blue grape hyacinth can be planted in larger groups or mass stocks, but also in planters. It has a strong tendency to become wild and thus quickly forms extensive stands.
- Pseudomuscari azureum ˈAlbumˈ: The ˈAlbumˈ variety is a variant of the sky-blue grape hyacinth with pure white flowers that can be combined perfectly.
In order to gather inspiration for the right combination of these early bloomers, you can find out more about the 10 most beautiful spring flowers in our special article.