Planting, pruning and caring for grape hyacinth

The enchanting early bloomer is very easy to handle - be it planting or caring for the grape hyacinth. The grape hyacinth can easily be integrated into your own garden via bulbs.

If the grape hyacinth (Muscari) is in a suitable location, it is completely easy to care for. Depending on the species, it also tends to spread intensively there. In this article you will find information on the choice of location, the procedure for planting and important care measures.

Plant grape hyacinth

When planting the grape hyacinth, various points are important, such as the right time, the choice of location and the soil conditions. These basic aspects are explained in more detail below and should definitely be considered. For the time being, it doesn't matter whether you Muscari armeniacum want to plant or some other kind.

The right location for grape hyacinths

The location of the grape hyacinths should be warm and in full sun, sunny to
are located in a light and semi-shady position. In any case, the soil must be loose and well-drained, as prolonged moisture can damage the grape hyacinth bulbs. At best, it has a slightly acidic to alkaline pH value and is dry in summer and fresh in winter and spring. If the garden soil is quite heavy, sand can be mixed in to loosen it up. The lime-loving onion plant feels at home on light woody edges, but also in open spaces and one way or another even in stone plants.

Planting grape hyacinths in a pot
Most Grape hyacinth varieties and species can be easily cultivated in planters. For this, the lower part of the planter should be equipped with a drainage layer, for example made of expanded clay. A high-quality and permeable potting soil is suitable as a substrate, which already contains all the necessary nutrients for the grape hyacinths to grow.

Procedure for planting

The grape hyacinths are best displayed either in smaller groups, in larger groups or even in mass stands. Individual plantings, on the other hand, could look a bit lost and are easily pushed out by neighboring plants. When planting in groups, a planting distance of 5 to 20 cm should be maintained - depending on how dense the end result is desired. The most efficient and common way is to plant grape hyacinth bulbs, but the early bloomers can also be planted from seed. However, it should be noted that the seedlings need several years before they form flowers, as they first use all their energy to establish themselves at the site.
The ideal time to plant the bulbs is from September to November. In this way, the pearl hyacinths can sprout as early as next spring. In the desired area, the soil should be thoroughly loosened, for example with a digging fork. If necessary, this is then improved with some soil, fertilizer or sand. The onions can now be about 6 to
8 cm deep into the loose substrate. Then the surface is pressed down again and covered with a thin layer of mulch as desired and poured on thoroughly.

At a glance:

• Warm, sunny location
• Well-drained, dry to fresh soil
• Planting time: September – November
• Thoroughly loosen and improve the surface
• Plant the onions in the loose soil
• Planting distance: 5 - 20 cm
• Planting depth: 6 - 8 cm
• Press and water the soil

Caring for grape hyacinths

As already mentioned, caring for grape hyacinths in a suitable location means very little effort. You can now find out how you can support your early bloomers in the best possible way.

to water
Especially if your pearl hyacinths have been planted in a pot, it is important to ensure a regular water supply. As soon as the top layer of the substrate has dried completely, you can pour again. Outdoors, additional watering may be necessary in warm and dry phases.

Divide & repot
Muscari in the pot benefit from regular sharing and repotting, as this gives more space for the individual plants is created and a greater supply of nutrients through fresh substrate is available. These maintenance measures should be carried out in autumn.

Fertilize
For a rich flowering and strong plants, a compost application in spring or the use of a long-term flower fertilizer is recommended. Ours, for example, is suitable for this Plantura organic flower fertilizer ideal. Although the grape hyacinth often grows with poor nutrient supply, just not as vigorously and obvious nutrient deficiency symptoms such as yellow leaf blades occur more frequently. Sufficient nitrogen prevents this and ensures lush green foliage Muscari. The comparatively high potassium content of our flower fertilizer makes the plant and especially the bulb more resilient and frost hardy. Onion plants are often affected by rot in wet winters, but this can be prevented with an adequate supply of potassium.

hibernate
Almost all pearl hyacinth species are sufficiently hardy outdoors and do not need any protection. Only the Aucher grape hyacinth (Muscari aucheri) tolerates less than minus temperatures and should be covered with some mulch material or fleece in harder winters. Grape hyacinths in pots are generally overwintered in a protected winter quarters with temperatures hardly below zero. If the bulbous plants are placed in a moderately warm and bright spot in the house early in the year, they will sprout earlier and thus bring spring into the house.

To reduce
If your stocks of pearl hyacinths increase undesirably, it may be necessary to regularly dig up and remove some bulbs from the area using a digging fork. The removal of the seed heads also plays an important role and is explained below.

Tip: Muscari armeniacum can be treated in nursing in the same way as Muscari botryoides. You can find out more about the differences between the species in our special article.

Cut grape hyacinths

Another care measure is the cutting of the grape hyacinths, which, however, does not necessarily have to be carried out. The withered inflorescences of Muscari should not only be removed if you want to prevent the seeds of the grape hyacinth from spreading - it helps bulb-forming perennials to store the necessary energy reserves in their bulbs instead of using them for seed formation consume.
If the leaves are withered and yellowed, they can be removed, primarily for aesthetic reasons. It is important to wait for the yellowing to take place so that the nutrients and reserve substances contained in the leaves can still be stored in the flower bulb. However, the foliage can simply remain on the plants, perish on the ground and thus return nutrients.

Tip: The grape hyacinths can even be used as cut flowers in spring bouquets or Easter arrangements. They can achieve a vase life of about a week.

Grape hyacinths have faded: what to do?

After the grape hyacinth has finished blooming, removing the inflorescences and withered leaves is the first, optional, action. Furthermore, during this time, no more fertilizer should be added and permanent moisture should be avoided in any case. Therefore, watering is no longer necessary, at least outdoors.

Since the grape hyacinth self-propagates via daughter bulbs as well as seeds, it is an interesting candidate for this Black box gardening. You can find out exactly what that is and how to do it in our special article.