Plant of Merit: Muscari armeniacum

What: Muscari armeniacum

Known to most gardeners as the trouble-free, no care grape hyacinth, their small flowers resemble upside-down grapes, and the corms are widely available for fall planting. In the Puget Sound, they typically begin blooming in early February, and when planted en masse, they are a welcome sight after the long gray winter. An additional benefit of these hardy little plants is that they are fragrant and are a perfect choice for indoor plant arrangements. Like daffodils, they naturalize and spread over time, creating swaths of color. In addition to the purple variety, there are pure white and powder blue grape hyacinths as well. Mixing the three colors together in large plantings adds a delicate touch to the late winter/early spring garden. No one should be without them. No yard? Grow them in a container in the sun.

Size: Typically grows to 4 to 12 inches tall, depending on variety.

See it: At the Evergreen Arboretum &Gardens, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett WA www.evergreen arboretum.com.

Source: Sandra Schumacher, Special to The Herald