Garden Grape-Hyacinth is a
non-native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in grassland, hedgerows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 30cm.
Garden Grape-Hyacinth is a native of the Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus. It was introduced to the UK as a garden plant in the nineteenth century and escaped to the wild within two decades. Garden Grape-Hyacinth found in the wild is often confused for the rare and darker-coloured native species of Grape-Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum).
Botanic classification and naming: Garden Grape-Hyacinth is a member of the Asparagus (Asparagaceae) family. The genus name
'Muscari' identifies the plant as a Grape Hyacinth and its species name 'armeniacum' means 'overlooked'.
Concerns: Grape-Hyacinth bulbs are poisonous.
Benefits: The Grape-Hyacinth provides an early springtime source of nectar for bees.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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