Many know their blue flowers reminiscent of grapes. But very few know her name. We are talking about the grape hyacinth. Here's a full rundown of their features and characteristics!

The grape hyacinth flowers blue to violet

The most important facts in bundled form

  • Plant Family: Asparagus family
  • Type of plant: bulbous plants
  • Origin: Southeast Europe, Asia Minor
  • Other names: pearl hyacinth, Weinbergsträubel, farmer's boy, mountain man
  • leaves: linear, green
  • Flowering time: March to May
  • flowers: racemose, terminal, blue to violet
  • Fruits: three-part capsule fruits
  • seeds: black, ovate, smooth
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: permeable, rich in nutrients
  • Propagation: self-sowing, sowing, daughter bulbs
  • Care: no special care necessary
  • Special features: poisonous, good cut flower

A closer look at her appearance

This is a perennial and herbaceous bulbous plant that likes to develop onions in the soil in order to reproduce with them. The growth is ground covering and reaches a height between 15 and 30 cm.

The leaves, which turn yellow in summer and sprout again in autumn, form a basal rosette. Each plant usually develops 2 to 3 leaves. These are lanceolate, narrow, linear, smooth-edged, mid-green and overhanging.

The main aspect lies with the flowers. Its flowering period is long and extends between March/April and May. There are many small tubular flowers clustered in a raceme-shaped inflorescence. Depending on the type and variety, they have a light blue to dark purple color. Three-part capsule fruits with black seeds develop from them in summer.

What claims does this perennial have?

The pearl hyacinth prefers to grow in a sunny spot. It can also make friends with a location in the light semi-shade. A cool to moderately warm location is perfect for them as they do not handle heat well. Nevertheless, it tolerates dry periods.

If you choose a nutrient-rich and permeable soil when planting, you don't have to worry too much about care. Fertilizer can be omitted and watering is secondary. The only thing to be aware of is that this plant is poisonous to animals such as cats.

tips and tricks

Although eating grape hyacinth can cause death in pets like cats, this plant is less toxic to humans. Nevertheless, you should refrain from consumption!

Category:

Vegetable garden