Between the amzing fragrance, breathtaking forms and wonderful colors of grape hyacinths amazing fragrance, breathtaking forms and wonderful colors, these flowers are true winners. These flowers are also called Muscari, and they look like plump grape bunches that adorn your springtime garden. If you are interested in adding these gorgeous flowers to your garden? These are really simple, and we are going to show you how to plant them.
Some Basic Information for Planting Grape Hyacinths
- Planting Depth – 3 inches
- Water Needs – Moderate
- Sunlight Needs – Fall – Partial Sun
- How Far Apart to Plant – 3 inches
- When They Bloom – Spring
- Hardiness Zones – 4 to 8
Where Grape Hyacinths Should be Planted
These can be planted either in your garden or containers. They only need good light and some soil that’s well-drained. If you’re noticing that there is water puddling anywhere from 5 to 6 hours after you’ve experienced a really hard rain, you should look for another place to put it or you can also use organic material to raise its level 2 to 3 inches. Even though they’re not really fussy regarding soil, they’re not going to survive in standing water or soggy conditions.
When Grape Hyacinths Should be Planted
You should plant them between the middle of fall to later fall, once first frost has happened but prior to the ground freezing. Once a few years have passed the majority of varieties are going to produce roots, sending up foliage during the fall that’s going to persist through winter until they flower during the early spring.
How You Can Plant Them
If you are planting them outside, look for a spot where you have well-drained soil and they are going to get a lot of sunlight. Full sun or ¾ day exposure will give you the best results. Dig your holes and plant your bulbs 3-4” deep as well as 3” apart. The points should be facing up.
If you are planting them in containers, start with well-drained, good quality potting soil and containers that are tall with good drainage holes. Dig your holes and plant your bulbs 3-4 For container planting, start with good quality, well-drained potting soil and tall or shallow containers with adequate drainage holes. Dig holes and plant them 3-4” deep, 3” apart. Keep the points facing up.
Water them thoroughly and soak your soil so that it’s settled around your bulbs.
How Grape Hyacinths are Grown
Water them as needed during their active growing periods, with around one inch of moisture each week as a good estimate
Once they’re done blooming, leave their foliage there. Those leaves are going to gather sunlight so that food is created, helping the bulbs to strengthen for the coming years.
When the leaves have turned yellow and died in late spring, remove those dried foliage. Let your bulbs rest several months before you start another growing cycle.
Tips and Tricks for Grape Hyacinths
- Help your bulbs have a healthy beginning and improve drainage by amending the soil using decomposed manure, compost or bark that’s finely ground.
- Think about mixing some other tiny plants, like miniature daffodils or pansies with the grape hyacinth or tuck them around taller plants’ ankles.
- Snip a few of the flowers for perfect, tiny bouquets. This won’t hurt the plants.
- Dig the bulb if they become too crowded and separate the plants. Otherwise, flowering will be disrupted. The plants self-seed and will spread as time goes by. This is fantastic, but it also can be problematic if you don’t maintain it.
Grape hyacinths are very easy to grow and they make a great addition to your garden. But if you don’t have the time or the ability to plant fall bulbs like grape hyacinth yourself, we are ready to help you. Contact us here for a quote for our fall bulb planting services.