Muscari latifolium is the species of grape hyacinth is a perennial bulb that is perhaps the largest of the muscaris, typically growing to 12” tall. It is distinguished by the fact that each bulb produces a single bicolored flower raceme that is encircled at the base by a solitary basal leaf. Each scape is topped in early spring by a conical raceme (to 2.5” long) of tightly packed, urn-shaped flowers. The lower fertile flowers on the plant are dark violet and the upper sterile flowers are a soft violet-blue, giving each plant a two-tone effect. They resemble an elongated, upside-down bunch of grapes, hence the common name.
Grape Hyacinths (Muscari) look especially well amongst Tulips and Daffodils. These clusters of bell-shaped flowers emit a sweet fragrance. They may be planted anywhere in your landscape, in sun or shade, along borders, in groups along a fence or around a tree or mailbox. Grape Hyacinths look best in mass plantings. They make good container plants and can be forced for indoor blooming with the proper treatment. They tend to multiply quickly when planted in good soils.