Grape hyacinths, also known as Muscari, are one of my favorite spring bulbs to plant in my garden. Their unique grape-like flower clusters provide vibrant pops of color and a lovely sweet scent in early spring, just when the garden needs it most. If you’re looking to add cheerful flowers to borders, containers, and more, grape hyacinth bulbs are a must-have for your garden.
Luckily, there are many reputable online retailers offering high quality grape hyacinth bulbs for sale at affordable prices. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of planting grape hyacinths, provide tips on selecting and caring for them, and recommend some of the best places to buy grape hyacinth bulbs online.
Why Grow Grape Hyacinths?
There are so many reasons to love grape hyacinths! Here are some of the best benefits these bulbs provide:
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Low-maintenance, easy to grow. Grape hyacinth bulbs are very easy to grow, even for beginner gardeners. They tolerate a wide range of soil types and light conditions Simply plant the bulbs in fall and they’ll bloom on their own in mid-spring.
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Reliably perennial. Grape hyacinths are hardy bulbs, returning year after year once planted. You can count on their flowers coming back each spring.
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Fragrant blooms. The flowers have a lovely light fragrance that’s noticeable when planted in groups. The sweet scent is a lovely spring treat in the garden.
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Adds color when needed most. Their bloom time in early to mid spring brightens the garden when other flowers are still just awakening. The vibrant shades are especially welcome after winter’s dull, dreary landscape
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Long bloom time. Each bulb produces up to 30 flowers, blooming over several weeks. The cheery blooms last 3-4 weeks.
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Deer and rodent resistant. Grape hyacinths are avoided by deer, rodents, rabbits and other common garden pests, so the blooms will remain untouched to be enjoyed.
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Multiplies readily. As the bulbs grow over a few years, they will readily multiply to provide more and more blooms each spring. You can also easily divide the bulbs every 3 years or so.
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Attracts pollinators. Early bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are drawn to the nectar-rich flowers.
With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why gardeners love grape hyacinth bulbs! Their easy care nature, vibrant colors, sweet fragrance and wildlife appeal make them a must for any garden.
When and Where to Plant Grape Hyacinth Bulbs
One of the easiest parts of growing grape hyacinths is that they aren’t too picky when it comes to planting. Here are a few tips on where and when to plant them:
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Plant in fall. Grape hyacinth bulbs are planted in the fall, anytime from September through November in most zones. Just be sure to plant them about 6 weeks before the ground freezes for winter.
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Full sun to part shade. Grape hyacinths will thrive in full sun to partial shade exposure. At least 4 hours of sunlight per day is ideal, but they will tolerate more shade.
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Most soil types. Grape hyacinth bulbs adapt readily to most average soil types, as long as the soil drains well. Avoid soggy, poorly draining soil.
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Planting depths. Plant the bulbs with their tips about 3-4 inches below the soil surface. Space bulbs about 2-6 inches apart from each other.
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Containers. You can also plant grape hyacinths in outdoor containers, mixed planters or window boxes. Ensure the containers have drainage holes and use a quality potting soil.
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Under deciduous trees/shrubs. They make excellent companion plants under trees or deciduous shrubs where they’ll get early spring sun before canopy leafs out.
In terms of location, grape hyacinths are very versatile. They’re perfect in flower beds and borders, rock gardens, alongside pathways, in woodland gardens, and can even naturalize in lawns if planted in large drifts. Allow them to spread and multiply for a dramatic floral display each spring.
Selecting the Best Grape Hyacinth Bulbs
When buying grape hyacinth bulbs online or at local nurseries, there are a few tips for selecting healthy, vigorous bulbs:
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Choose large bulbs. The largest bulbs with a diameter over 3⁄4 inch will produce the most blooms and are mature enough to flower well. Smaller bulbs may not bloom the first season.
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Avoid bulbs with mold, decay, or damage. Healthy bulbs should be firm, have intact outer skins, and be free of any mold, mushy spots, or damage.
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Select disease-free bulbs. Some diseases like basal rot can spread quickly, so it’s important to select clean, disease-free bulbs. Avoid bulbs with black streaks or other discoloration.
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Buy from reputable suppliers. To ensure you get top quality, healthy bulbs, always buy from reputable retailers. Check reviews and look for guarantees.
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Choose by bloom time. Grape hyacinths bloom early, mid or late spring depending on variety. Select early bloomers for the quickest color in early spring.
Following these guidelines will help you get the highest quality, healthiest grape hyacinth bulbs that will reward you with the most vigorous plants and abundant blooms.
Caring for Grape Hyacinths
Caring for grape hyacinth bulbs is very easy once planted. Here are a few tips:
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Water thoroughly after planting. Give the bulbs a good soaking immediately after planting in fall. Continue watering every week if there’s no rain until the ground freezes.
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Mulch for winter. Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch like bark, leaves or straw over the bulbs after the ground freezes to prevent frost heaving.
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Fertilize lightly. In very poor soil, you can apply a balanced organic fertilizer when planting the bulbs and again as they emerge in spring. But in most cases fertilizing isn’t necessary.
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Remove spent blooms. Each flower only lasts about 1-2 weeks. Cut off the flower stalks after the blooms fade to keep the plants looking neat. Don’t cut the foliage until it dies back naturally 6-8 weeks after blooming finishes.
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Divide when overcrowded. Grape hyacinths multiply quickly. Divide the bulbs every 3 years or so in fall if they become overcrowded.
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Watch for pests. Rodents, nematodes or bulb mites may sometimes attack the bulbs, but this is uncommon. Prevent problems by planting deer/rodent resistant Muscari varieties.
With proper planting and care, grape hyacinths are sure to provide lasting beauty in your garden for years to come!
Best Online Retailers for Grape Hyacinth Bulbs
When shopping online for grape hyacinth bulbs, look for reputable retailers that offer a wide selection of varieties, high quality bulbs, and excellent customer service. Here are some of the best online stores to buy grape hyacinth bulbs:
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Brecks – This family-owned company offers one of the largest inventories of bulbs, including hard to find grape hyacinth varieties. They have excellent prices, discounts, and fast shipping.
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Easy To Grow Bulbs – A leading bulb supplier featuring the newest grape hyacinth introductions. They offer free shipping on orders over $75 and have a 100% grow guarantee.
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Colorblends – A renowned bulb grower selling premium quality grape hyacinth bulbs available in many unique color blends.
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John Scheepers – Specializing in hard to find and exotic flower bulbs, they have an extensive selection of grape hyacinth varieties.
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Van Engelen – As one of the country’s largest bulb growers, they offer reliably vigorous, healthy grape hyacinth bulbs at wholesale prices.
I always recommend buying from companies that have strong reputations for selling top-size, disease-free bulbs that will grow beautifully. Buying online allows you access to varieties that local stores may not carry.
##Add Show-stopping Grape Hyacinths to Your Garden
Few bulbs offer as much easy-care appeal as the grape hyacinth. If you’re looking to upgrade your spring garden with vibrant, fragrant flowers, grape hyacinth bulbs deserve a spot near the top of your planting list. They’re inexpensive investments that pay off with years of lasting beauty and garden appeal. Fortunately, it’s easy to find high quality grape hyacinth bulbs for sale from reputable online retailers who deliver the bulbs right to your door. For a boost of flower power in early spring, grape hyacinths are a must!
top quality grape hyacinth (muscari) bulbs for fall planting
Muscari bulbs have been cultivated by botanists and horticulturists for several hundred years. Native to the Mediterranean, where more than 50 different kinds can be found, these beautiful plants, also called “Pearls of Spain,” were already in gardens all over Europe and the US by the middle of the 16th century. They have since become a permanent part of springtime. At DutchGrown™ we have carefully selected only the best grape hyacinth bulbs available, guaranteeing top performance.
Grape hyacinth bulbs – the most versatile Spring bulb
It’s no secret that grape hyacinth bulbs are very popular. One reason is that they are one of the easiest, least demanding, and most rewarding spring bulbs to grow. These pocket rockets don’t need much care, they’re easy to establish in their new environment, and they’ll come back every year, making the population grow. Muscari bulbs can also be used in a lot of different ways. Their beautiful blooms can brighten up a rock garden, add a splash of color under trees, or cover a lawn in color. Grape hyacinths are also beautiful plants for the border or in a vase, and they brighten up any Spring bouquet. They are often grown under tulips and daffodils because the spikes of muscari flowers look nice with the rounder shapes of these bigger flowers.
Grape Hyacinths are INVASIVE, muscari flowers in the spring and grows like a weed
Are Hyacinth Bulbs expensive?
Because grape hyacinth bulbs are inexpensive, it pays to buy larger, more premium bulbs. They’ll produce four or five flower stalks per bulb, as compared to two or three flower stalks produced by bargain bulbs. Some common varieties include: ‘Album’: This pure white variety pairs well with blue grape hyacinth.
What color is grape hyacinth?
Grape hyacinth, also known as muscari, is a small bulb with tight clusters of blue flowers that resemble grapes, and it is also available in colors like white, pink, lavender, or yellow.
Where can I buy Hyacinth Bulbs?
Simply plant the hyacinths into bulb fibre or well-drained potting mix. Bulbs: Hyacinth bulbs are sold at garden centres in late summer and autumn. They are also available from mail-order bulb specialists such as Tesselaar’s or Bulb Express. Individual bulbs cost around $1.50-$2 each but are generally cheaper if bought in bulk.
When to plant grape hyacinths?
Plant your outdoor grape hyacinths by late November if you live in a warm climate so the bulbs have time to root. Grape hyacinths prefer full sun or partial shade with average, well-draining, sandy soil holding a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Plant about 10 grape hyacinth bulbs per square foot.