I planted some spring-flowering bulbs for the first time last fall, and the grape hyacinths were my favorite. I am concerned now that they started growing again in late August. Will this negatively impact the bloom next spring?
— Dana Flynn, Highland Park
Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is also one of my favorite bulbs. An added bonus: their blue flower is my favorite color. It is a good-performing bulb for the Chicago region. There are several different cultivars to choose from, and the blue, white and pastel pink colors available are very versatile when combined with other garden plants. A subtle grapey fragrance is another nice attribute. It’s a small bulb, with foliage reaching around 4 inches and flowers around 8 inches. The fine-textured foliage has minimal impact on a garden’s appearance as it goes dormant after flowering in late spring. They show best in mass plantings, so I prefer to plant in clusters of at least 100 bulbs with more always being better. A carpet of grape hyacinth will have the most visual impact. Plant more of them than you think you need. I have had some success planting them in areas that have problems with deer, though no guarantee that deer will not browse your grape hyacinths. Rabbits may browse the foliage.
Grape hyacinths typically send up some foliage in late summer, so it’s nothing to worry about. The fall foliage is a good marker for where the bulbs are growing to help you locate where to plant new bulbs this fall. They perform best in full sun, but will also make a nice display in dappled shade. Like other spring-flowering bulbs, they prefer moisture in spring and fall and dry conditions during the summer. It’s been my experience that they need enhancement planting every two to three years to maintain the display — not a complete replacement though. I like to vary the spacing of the bulbs at planting for a more natural appearance.
For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at [email protected]. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.