Muscari is a genus of about 40 species of perennial bulbous plants in the Asparagaceae family, native to Eurasia.
Muscari produces urn-shaped spikes of fragrant flowers resembling bunches of grapes. These plants are easy to grow and are great for beds, borders and under shrubs or trees. They are excellent as cut flowers and especially as rock-garden plants.
The name of the genus is derived from the Greek word for musk (“moschos”), due to the scent of some species.
The flowers resemble upturned bunches of grapes, hence the common name Grape Hyacinth.
Muscari is a symbol of power and confidence.
It also symbolizes mystery and creativity.
Although Muscari is commonly known as Grape Hyacinth, it should not be confused with Hyacinthus, commonly known as Hyacinth!
It is called Grape Hyacinth because its flowers look like bunches of grapes and they are similar to Hyacinth. It is also worth to mention that Muscari and Hyacinthus belong to the same family of plants – Asparagaceae.
The plant isn’t poisonous, but you need to be careful because it resembles Hyacinthus (Hyacinth), which is poisonous.
Muscari armeniacum is the most popular and most cultivated species of Muscari.
At the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland there is a dense planting of Muscari armeniacum that winds through the Gardens, known as the “Blue River”.
The flowers are edible and are sometimes used in Mediterranean cuisine. They are often pickled in vinegar.
