grape hyacinths are one of my favorite spring ephemerals. not only are they adorable, but the flowers can be used for making syrup that tastes faintly and sweetly of grapes.
and if that’s not your thing, they can also be used for making color-changing ink. the initial ink might look purple in color, but as it hits the paper and begins to dry it will turn blue. and if you add an acid, it will turn pink. and if you add a basic it will turn green (you can do this with the syrup, too!)
this happens because of naturally-occurring pigments called anthocyanins – the same pigments found in purple cabbage, violets, and blueberries!