Many folks may unknowingly harvest Grape Hyacinth lookalikes in nature but remember not all lookalikes!
Let us find out whether these Grape Hyacinth look-alikes are safe to consume or remotely usable.
6 Common Grape Hyacinth Lookalikes
Have you ever encountered a wild shrub that looks like a grapevine? Then you would know about Grape Hyacinth.
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) is a flowering bulbous plant from the Asparagaceae family that produces spikes of dense, blue, grape-shaped flowers in the spring.
Nonetheless, many novice gardeners confuse Grape Hyacinth lookalikes as they resemble similar bulbous blossoms.
Here is a list of a few common Grape Hyacinth lookalikes you should know about.
1. Garden Grape Hyacinth
Garden Grape Hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) are the ornamental cousins of the Grape Hyacinth and are commonly found in gardens.
Originally from southeastern Europe and the Middle East, it has been introduced and naturalized in various parts of the world, including North America.
They hardly grow more than 6-10 inches (15-25 cm), making them a perfect ground cover plant.
What makes it unique is the small bulbous or bell-shaped flowers, densely packed in grape-like clusters resembling common Grape Hyacinth.
However, the color of these flowers can range from deep blue to violet blue, resembling true grape colors.
Unlike common Grape Hyacinths, these are not edible plants. Instead, you can grow them to decorate your garden, alleys, or designer containers.
2. Hyacinth Squill
Scilla Hyacinthina or Hyacinth Squill, also known as Spring Beauty, is a bulbous perennial plant native to the Mediterranean region.
It resembles the common Grape Hyacinth in the plant’s height, appearance, and blossoms.
Hyacinth Squill grows to a height of 6-8 inches, producing slender, grass-like leaves and dense, cylindrical flower spikes.
The main attraction of the plant, these flowers are tubular shaped and often boast shades of blue, violet, or purple, which resembles a miniature Grape Hyacinth.
The vibrant flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, but beware of allowing your pet and children around the plant as the whole plant contains alkaloids.
Occasionally, you may find pink or white varieties as well.
However, gardeners grow it only for its ornamental value in rock gardens, borders, and grounds.
3. Common Bluebell
Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is another bulbous plant resembling the common Grape Hyacinth.
Although distantly related, the common bluebell displays bell-shaped blue-violet flowers that may look like Grape Hyacinths from a distance.
A natural wildflower from the British Isles, it is widely available in North America and blooms throughout spring.
The plant’s height reaches 7.9 to 15.7 inches (20-40 cm), slightly taller than the Grape Hyacinth.
It is commonly grown for its ornamental value and remains non-edible. The bulbs contain substances that can cause nausea.
You can grow them in various gardens throughout USDA zones 4-9.
4. Leopoldia Comosa
Leopoldia Comosa (Muscari Comosum), known as Tassel Hyacinth or Hair Hyacinth, is a charming bulbous plant.
Belonging to the same family as Grape Hyacinth, the Asparagaceae family, it displays unique ornamental flowers.
To confuse matters, these flowers also come in shades of blue, violet, or purple.
However, the flowers will break the dense cluster and slightly spread as they mature.
Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of the Middle East, Leopoldia Comosa is invasive outside its naturalized area.
Therefore, be careful of growing this charmer in your garden without researching it further.
5. Broad-Leaved Grape-Hyacinth
Broad-Leaved Grape-Hyacinth (Muscari latifolium) is a close relative to the common Grape Hyacinth that boasts similar grape-like flowers.
Like the common Grape Hyacinth, it blooms in spring but displays slightly different leaves. The broad, lance-shaped leaves distinguish it from other Muscari species, hence the name “broad-leaved.”
Although native to regions of southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean, including Greece and Turkey, it is now available in many gardens in North America.
Like common Grape Hyacinth, broad-leaved Grape Hyacinth flowers are edible, often used for flavoring foods.
Otherwise, you can leave them in the garden or pots to help attract pollinators.
6. Spanish Bluebell
The Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) is a spring-flowering bulbous plant native to the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal.
Spanish Bluebell is more closely related to the Common Bluebell than the Grape Hyacinth, but you may find some resemblance in their flowers.
The bell-shaped, drooping flowers appear in shades of blue, pink, violet, and sometimes white.
Unlike Common Bluebells, its flowers are arranged all around the stem, making it a closer lookalike to Grape Hyacinth.
These bloomers grow to about 12 to 18 inches tall and make great garden or landscape plants.
Consuming any part of the plant is No-No!
From Editorial Team
Conclusion!
Needless to say, Grape Hyacinth lookalikes make perfect show plants to grow in your garden.
While some are edible and useful in the kitchen, others might suit your garden, rock beds, and empty grounds.
Check their toxicity before planting them within your pets and children’s accessibility.
