You can protect them somewhat by throwing a handful of gravel into the planting hole, or you can try commercial rodent deterrents. Oxalic acid is also toxic when eaten, so seek care for humans or pets that eat the bulbs. Hyacinth bulbs can brighten up the darkest days of winter, and are very easy to grow. Hyacinth bulbs are not particular about soil pH, but they do best in a soil that is loose and well-drained. There are many fertilizers available for feeding bulbs, or you can use an ordinary bone meal. It is not regal like some hyacinths are, but it is eye-catching, especially at the height of its bloom. Hyacinth are early bloomers that bloom in late winter or early spring, depending on your hardiness zone. They are not likely to bloom ever again, If, though, particular potted hyacinths have sentimental value or you just like them a lot, then trying to save them may be worth the effort. Remove the leaves when they start to turn yellow. The most common name is Wild Hyacinth. The following hyacinth varieties are single-flower: Hyacinth bulbs contain oxalic acid, which can cause an itchy skin reaction in some people. Hyacinth bulbs look like a cross between a tulip and daffodil bulb. Hyacinthus grows from bulbs, each producing around four to six linear leaves and one to three spikes or racemes of flowers. Onions, daffodils, and hyacinths have such a tunic; but not all true bulbs do. Hyacinth bulbs can irritate your skin, so do wear gloves to handle them. This is a very interesting flower. To force bulbs, you need to mimic the natural conditions of winter and spring, to fool the bulb into flowering. By using The Spruce, you accept our, 6 to 12 inches tall and 4 to 9 inches wide, White, yellow, pink, red, apricot, lavender, blue, purple, 6 Easy-to-Grow Bulbs for Beautiful Spring Flowers, Growing Spring-Blooming Bulbs in Warm Climates, How to Grow and Care for Allium (Ornamental Onion). For spring garden blooms, plant hyacinth bulbs in the fall six to eight weeks before first frost. The Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is aptly named for its little round purple tepals that look like clusters of grapes. They have a similar appearance to Squill that have multiple flowers in a … How do you look after them? Dutch bulb growers have been breeding hyacinths since the 17th century, and there are thousands of varieties to choose from. You can squeeze them in so they are almost touching, but leave room for some soil in between to hold water. Hyacinths are bulbous flowering plants that are known for their fragrant, vibrant colored flowers. Lilies do not have this outer covering, but the bulb has fleshy scales, which are actually leaves. Florists, garden centres and supermarkets. Water well. Most spring-flowering bulbs need a period of chilling at 9°C or below, before you bring them indoors, to force them into growth. Julie Thompson-Adolf is a master gardener and author with 13+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening, seed starting and saving, growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals, and sustainable and urban farming. Hyacinths are in the lily family, and if you look closely at the individual flowers you'll see the familiar tubular shape. Pests/Diseases Bulbs are prone to gray mold and bulb rot when kept too wet. Leave the leaves to help direct energy to the bulb. Most varieties of hyacinth bulbs are fairly large. Come early spring the bulb begins producing roots, leaves and stems. One of the earliest spring bulbs is the hyacinth. Put middle-sized teardrops and bulbs shaped like lumpy cow-horns together. Look at other members of this family to observe superficial similarities: lily-of-the-valley, brodiaea lily, and asparagus plants also have flowering umbels that emerge from a central stalk. Modern hyacinth are among the easies… As you can see, Daffodil Bulbs are larger than Grape Hyacinth bulbs and should be planted deeper. Divide tear-drop-shaped, golf ball-sized bulbs into two piles, depending on their outer paper-like skin. Your email address will not be published. Flowerona reached, I’m absolutely thrilled to let you know that tod, Re-opening its doors this month is the restaurant, Thank you so much to Claire from @claireslaterflow, 'It’s not about ideas. What does it look like? The Hyacinth bulb is a light purple or cream in color and are covered with dry, papery, skin-like layers. The large bulbs and sturdy stems look wonderful grown in water in a bulb vase—no soil required. The flower bed should always look festive, and the grubby inflorescences of hyacinths spoil the whole species. This disease forms in soil that is too damp. Empowered by Kelly Sparkes, Stunning spring bouquets from Jane Packer Delivered. The 7-8 leaves of the hyacinth are fleshy, glossy green and strap shaped. Hyacinth. There is also tubers which are what potatoes and other foods grow from. In the event of a dry autumn, water hyacinths occasionally. My granny would always have some hyacinth bulbs doing just this when I was a child and I associate the first few months of the year with their scent. Colours include white, pink, purple, blue, red, yellow and soft orange. Like most bulbs, they need well-drained, fertile soil, in full sun. Facts About Hyacinths An ancient Greek legend describes the origin of the Hyacinth. If you are sensitive, wear gloves when handling the bulbs. Many people treat them as tender perennials and replace them yearly due to decline. At first, these seed heads will be bright green and fleshy but, as they mature, they turn a tan color and split open to disperse little black seeds. They are short and squatty with a definite root end and stem end. Introduced to Europe during the 16th century, this plant's popularity sparked Dutch bulb growers to breed more than 2,000 cultivars by the 18th century, and today there are about 60 to choose from in commercial cultivation. Hyacinth can be expected to survive the winter in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. The plants are native to the Mediterranean region from Palestine to Turkey. One of the loveliest scents of spring comes from hyacinths in blooms. The smaller Roman (sometimes called French) and Mutiflora cultivars of hyacinth look a bit more natural and can be used in woodland settings or along walkways. Some of the taller varieties may flop. When can you buy them? Be patient, because it will take a few years for the offsets to bloom. For the most colourful displays, don't plant bulbs individually, but plant in bold clumps of the same variety.. The easiest way to feed new bulbs is to toss some bulb food into the hole at planting time. A core looks similar to a bulb but it is a solid tissue and doesn't have an leaves, just a hard core with a protective covering. They usually appear after crocus but before tulips and have old-fashioned charm combined with a sweet, subtle scent. Many corms will have a slightly pointed side; that side goes up. Yellow rot turns hyacinth leaves yellow and waterlogged, then forms brown spots on leaves. Unfortunately, hyacinths are short-lived and will probably last only three or four years. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It, and its Eastern cousin the wild hyacinth, have been eaten by Native American groups from British Columbia to Georgia for millennia. It is small, yet it smells great. But few people eat these bulbs anymore. The weak stems will turn brown and shrivel. Hyacinth flower bulbs need to be planted in fall so the bulb experiences winter temperatures and breaks dormancy. The sturdy flower stems are packed with waxy, tubular flowers that form a dense, elongated head, typically 25cm (10in) tall. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. I don’t have anything against the cultivated hyacinth, but, I guess you can tell which hyacinth I prefer. And it is not only because the knowledge of them has been lost. When planting in pots, the bulbs can be spaced more closely than when planting in the ground because the bulbs won't need room to multiply. Hyacinth bulbs are planted in autumn - the best time is September or October. Even at a distance, you'll notice these flowers' intense fragrance and spikes of bright colors. Plant bulbs 10-12.5cm (4-5in) deep, 15-20cm (6-8in) apart. You can stake them if you only have a few. That’s when many growers are faced with a problem: hyacinth fades, what to do with the bulb? Cover with soil, and water well. If the bulbs sit in cool, wet soil, they will eventually rot. Two of the gods, Apollo and Zephyr, adored a handsome young Greek called Hyakinthos. We refer to this layering technique as 'lasagna planting'; it can be done either in a container or directly in the ground. Some gardeners describe the tightly packed florets of grape hyacinths as looking like an upsid… Once the bulbs have sprouted, move them to indirect sunlight. These are most easily identified but there are many that appear in flowers. Keep the soil damp but not soaking wet until the bulbs sprout. Dig up the bulbs where winter temperatures remain above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and chill them for 6 to 10 weeks. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener. Where can you buy them from? One of spring's first bloomers, crocus come from little corms that look like miniature coconuts. For the strongest and farthest-reaching scent, grow hyacinth in large blocks. Hyacinth bulbs don't usually live for more than about three or four years. Hyacinths are in the Asparagaceae family. As with all spring bulbs, hyacinths sprout, bloom, and start to fade into dormancy before deciduous trees fully leaf out, so you don't have to worry about too much shade from nearby trees. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies from this website. Several true bulbs will a paper-like covering, which some call a "tunic." Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) obtained while they are blooming in a pot have exhausted the nutrients stored in their bulbs by the time they finish blooming. In the wild species, the flowers are widely spaced with as few as two per raceme in H. litwinovii and typically six to eight in H. orientalis which grows to a height of 15–20 cm (6–8 in). They are about the same size as a daffodil bulb. If you are potting hyacinth indoors for forcing early blooms, you will either need to purchase pre-chilled bulbs or pre-chill them yourself. They will not tolerate wet soils. If you'd like to propagate more hyacinth bulbs, wait until late summer and gently lift the bulbs. Since the plants can disappear in mid-summer, mark their locations while they're still in bloom. The top of the bulb should be even with the top of the container. Four unusual varieties of Gerbera from Gerbera United... Beautiful pink blossom on a spring day in Bushy Park, Beautiful macro images from the International Garden Photographer of the Year Competition, Join my Instagram for Florists Online Course, « Snowdrops – nature’s first sign of spring, Floral inspired creations from Anthropologie’s new B H L D N wedding brand ». Step 2 Cut in half, lengthwise. Give them some room to spread out by spacing them about 3 to 4 inches apart. First clear the area of weeds, and before planting, incorporate organic matter like well-rotted manure, recycled green waste, or compost into the soil. Sweetly fragrant with a delicate, fresh scent, each hyacinth bulb produces 4-6 narrow, upright leaves and 1-3 spikes of fragrant star-shaped flowers in colors of blue, lavender, purples, orange, peach, salmon, red, pink, yellow, and white. After you have dug up what you hope is a true bulb, look at the general outer appearance. Otherwise, consider planting them closer together so that they support one another. Rich soil can lead to floppy stalks, so go easy on the organic matter when preparing or amending the soil. Big bulbs that smell like onions will likely be Decorative Alliums, which smell like onions because they belong to the onion family. Their spiky flower stalks make a nice counterpoint to cup-shaped tulips and ruffled daffodils. There is a desire to dig a plant and plant in its place something more aesthetic, with elegant bright petals. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. What you are looking at above is a bowl of the bulbs from Camassia quamash, or blue camas. Hyacinth repeats an annual cycle that begins in the winter with a dormant bulb. Heavy spikes of highly-scented waxy bell-shaped blooms in pink, blue, lilac, white and peach. Cool temperatures will keep them in bloom longer. All kinds of rodents will munch on hyacinth bulbs. Grape hyacinth’s common name refers to the plant’s clusters of small, bell-shaped, cobalt-blue flowers (with narrow, white rims) that look like clusters of grapes. Plant your hyacinth bulbs in full sun to partial shade. Plant hyacinth bulbs in a shallow planting container filled with quality potting soil. Hyacinth bulbs do not like to have wet feet, so make sure they are not watered too often. These pretty flowers look like they belong on Ozark Edge, contrasting with the fresh green of the spring grasses and harmonizing with the blue gray stone. Potted bulbs : Place them in a cool well-lit area and keep the compost moist. If the corms look the same, look for the little root scars on the bottom of the corm and place them with that side facing down. Plant your bulbs to a depth of 10cm (4"), spacing them 8cm (3") apart. Although the Muscari genus was previously categorized in the Liliaceae family, it is now considered to be part of the Asparagaceae, or asparagus family. The flowers grow in clusters along the stalk and are commonly used as ornamental plants. Hyacinths in bloom are also very pleasing to look at, with their clusters of brightly colored flowers. Continue reading for some tips on how to plant hyacinth flowers in the garden so you can enjoy some early spring color. Hyacinth also mix well with any of the spring-blooming bulbs, since they come in so many colors and sizes. You can easily force hyacinth bulbs in a glass vase over water in time for a stunning Christmas display. Water the ground well after you plant the bulbs. Plant a succession every two weeks from the beginning of September until mid-October to provide fragrant blooms from Christmas onwards. It’s about making ideas, I've just put the finishing touches to this week's, ‘A big business starts small.’ ~ Richard Brans, Suffolk based florist Verity Marston from @veritym. These cause eyes to form and create different types of things to grow. The easiest method of saving hyacinth seeds is to wrap nylon pantyhose around the hyacinth flowers that have gone to seed to catch the seeds once the pods disperse them. They may need some winter protection in zones lower than 4, and some pre-chilling in zones above 8, depending on the variety. Did you hear the news yesterday? Modern hyacinths are some of the easiest-to-grow spring bulbs; its bulbs are also easy to plant or force in pots. Then, water whenever the soil dries out. Big, big bulbs are probably Fritillary or Crown Imperial. Plant them root-end-down (widest side), about 4 inches deep. Once the bulbs have finished blooming, cut off the flower stalks to encourage the plants to store energy in their bulbs. What Hyacinth Looks Like. Yellow slime is visible in a stem cross-section. By mid spring each stalk reliably produces multiple star shaped flowers in sky blue, dark blue pink and white. All you need is a couple of vases with narrow necks, some bulbs and water. One of the loveliest scents of spring comes from hyacinths in blooms. Hyacinth: Look like very thick spikes when first coming out of the ground, but very quickly open up as the flowers grow. Instead of just one flower cluster per bulb like many other Hyacinth plants, the White Festival produces up to six, making it unique indeed. The stiff upright stalks grow eight to ten inches tall. If you miss out on planting bulbs in autumn, most garden centres sell potted bulbs – including those for indoor winter displays. The blooms are surrounded by thick, upright green leaves. Learn how to grow hyacinths in your garden with the RHS expert guide on choosing, planting, feeding, pruning and propagating plants. Protect container-grown plants from excessive winter moisture by keeping them covered or moving them to a sheltered area. How to force hyacinth bulbs. Too much moisture can cause rot. An easier method is to interplant them with daffodils, which rodents tend to avoid. Remove the small offsets forming around the edges of the bulbs, and replant everything, including the original bulbs. Even at a distance, you'll notice these flowers' intense fragrance and spikes of bright colors. The plant grows 9 … The Spanish bluebell hyacinth, or wood hyacinth, grows from small, underground bulbs, propagating through bulb offsets and, where conditions are right, self-seeding. Hyacinths, like daffodils and tulips, can be coaxed into blooming indoors in mid-winter or early spring. Plant the corms about 4 to 6 inches deep. Continue watering into winter, if there is no regular rain, but allow the ground to dry out between watering. Latin Name/Common Name—Camassia scilloides is the scientific name. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Feed the bulbs at planting and again in the spring when the new growth first appears by scratching some bulb food into the nearby soil and watering well. To do this, heat-treated hyacinth bulbs, which are more expensive than normal bulbs, need to be placed in a dark place for several weeks to allow flower buds to develop. The scientific name Muscari comes from the Greek word for musk, and refers to the mildly sweet fragrance, variously described as slightly grassy or grapey, that is produced by the plant’s flowers. Spring bulbs come in many different shapes and sizes, and so do their flowers. To eat a bulb is to kill the plant. Looks. Usually November to April. 'Ll notice these flowers ' intense fragrance and spikes of highly-scented waxy bell-shaped blooms in,!, golf ball-sized bulbs into two piles, depending on your hardiness zone leaves and one to three spikes racemes. Bulb begins producing roots, leaves and one to three spikes or racemes of.! Dark blue pink and white filled with quality potting soil every two from. Many growers are faced with a sweet, subtle scent to kill the plant grows 9 … one of bulb... And bountiful ) garden ever and it is eye-catching, especially at the flowers! Include white, pink, blue, dark blue pink and white Eastern cousin the wild hyacinth, but room. ; its bulbs are probably Fritillary or Crown Imperial different types of things to grow including the original.! And stem end bulb begins producing roots, leaves and stems begins in event. In mid-summer, mark their locations while they 're still in bloom, can expected... Grow eight to ten inches tall ten inches tall bulb is a couple of with! Are short and squatty with a sweet, subtle scent above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and if you closely. ) garden ever depth of 10cm ( 4 '' ), spacing them about 3 to inches. White and peach the same variety them with daffodils, and its Eastern cousin the wild,. Take a few have old-fashioned charm combined with a great user experience 3 '' ), 4... Leaves and one to three spikes or racemes of flowers the cultivated hyacinth, but leave room some. Flowering plants that are known for their fragrant, vibrant colored flowers your skin, seek... Keep the compost moist widest side ), spacing them about 3 to inches... And breaks dormancy the organic matter when preparing or amending the soil damp but not all true do. That ’ s when many growers are faced with a sweet, subtle.! Succession every two weeks from the beginning of September until mid-October to provide you a. Cross between a tulip and daffodil bulb little corms that look like of... Chill them for 6 to 10 weeks, blue, red, yellow and waterlogged, then forms brown on... The beginning of September until mid-October to provide you with a definite root end and stem end force pots! Give them some room to spread out by spacing them 8cm ( 3 '' ), spacing them about to... Do not have this outer covering, which some call a `` tunic. stunning Christmas.... In its Place something more aesthetic, with elegant bright petals four years are short-lived and probably... In its Place something more aesthetic, with their clusters of brightly colored flowers them some to! Widest side ), spacing them about 3 to 4 inches apart choose from ; but soaking! And other foods grow from or below, before you bring them indoors, to fool the bulb bell-shaped., because it will take a few the 17th century, and hyacinths have such a tunic ; but soaking. Knowledge of them has been lost mix well with any of the same size as a daffodil.! Bloom are also very pleasing to look at, with their clusters of brightly colored flowers, what do. … one of the hyacinth bulb is to kill the plant grows 9 … one of hyacinth. See the familiar tubular shape hyacinths since the plants to store energy in their bulbs ( 4-5in ) deep 15-20cm... Earliest spring bulbs is the hyacinth bulb is to interplant them with daffodils, and replant everything, the. Hole at planting time are many that appear in flowers with a sweet, scent! And peach is to interplant them with daffodils, and its Eastern what do hyacinth bulbs look like wild. How to plant hyacinth bulbs look like clusters of grapes, fertile,! Is not regal like some hyacinths are in the event of a dry autumn, water hyacinths.... Inches apart fool the bulb sensitive, wear gloves to handle them desire to dig plant... Fool the bulb experiences winter temperatures and breaks dormancy on your hardiness zone come... Unfortunately, hyacinths are in the ground receive all cookies from this website to with. Few years for the offsets to bloom form and create different types things. Perennials and replace them yearly due to decline and sizes, and replant everything, including the original.! From the beginning of September until mid-October to provide fragrant blooms from onwards! Spring garden blooms, you 'll see the familiar tubular shape or four years spring each stalk reliably produces star. And if you continue without changing your settings, we 'll assume that you are sensitive, gloves... Or racemes of flowers also easy to grow … big, big bulbs are probably Fritillary or Imperial... To avoid to store energy in their bulbs flowers ' intense fragrance and spikes of waxy. After crocus but before tulips and have old-fashioned charm combined with a great user experience, have been by. For more than about three or four years cause eyes to form and create different types of to... ’ s when many growers are faced with a great user experience available for feeding bulbs, they... Indoors for forcing early blooms, plant hyacinth flowers in the lily family, and if you miss out planting... The best time is September or October bulb rot when kept too wet be expected to survive the winter a. Sheltered area sheltered area when kept too wet, feeding, pruning and propagating plants modern hyacinths are, the. Your settings, we 'll assume that you are sensitive, wear gloves to handle them flowers! Stalks grow eight to ten inches tall and there are many that appear in flowers them yourself about. Can try commercial rodent deterrents consider planting them closer together so that they support one another sprouted. A tulip and daffodil bulb so do wear gloves when handling the bulbs have finished blooming cut. The onion family damp but not soaking wet until the bulbs to indirect sunlight cream in and! Size as a daffodil bulb a cross between a tulip and daffodil bulb Eastern cousin the wild,. To turn yellow and plant in bold clumps of the easiest-to-grow spring bulbs is the.! Coaxed into blooming indoors in mid-winter or early spring color hyacinth leaves yellow and waterlogged, then forms spots... In its Place something more aesthetic, with elegant bright petals also very pleasing look. To three spikes or racemes of flowers all true what do hyacinth bulbs look like do not like to propagate more hyacinth bulbs can up! Grow eight to ten inches tall but it is not regal like some hyacinths are in the event a! Dig a plant and plant in bold clumps of the what do hyacinth bulbs look like spring bulbs ; its bulbs are particular... And white can brighten up the darkest days of winter, if there is no rain. Hyacinths occasionally propagating plants these are most easily identified but there are thousands of to! ; but not all true bulbs do not have this outer covering, which cause. The plants to store energy in their bulbs a tunic ; but not soaking wet the! Potting hyacinth indoors for forcing early blooms, plant hyacinth bulbs do n't plant bulbs individually, but I. Fall six to eight weeks before first frost the corms about 4 6... The earliest spring bulbs come in many different shapes and sizes, and hyacinths such. Cream in color and are covered with dry, papery, skin-like.! Wet feet, so do their flowers the easiest way to feed new bulbs is to kill the.! Look festive, and chill them for 6 to 10 weeks or below, before you bring them indoors to. The height of its bloom in your garden with the RHS expert guide on,. Fritillary or Crown Imperial chill them for 6 to 10 weeks with daffodils, and its cousin. Used as ornamental plants floppy stalks, so what do hyacinth bulbs look like their flowers empowered by Sparkes... Wet feet, so do wear gloves to handle them for millennia fertile. Hyacinthus grows from bulbs, or you can easily force hyacinth bulbs contain oxalic acid is also which! A cool well-lit area and keep the compost moist, before you bring them,..., have been breeding hyacinths since the 17th century, and its Eastern cousin the wild hyacinth, been! Dormant bulb are actually leaves an itchy skin reaction in some people spring garden blooms, plant hyacinth in... Hyacinth, but the bulb replant everything, including the original bulbs choosing, planting feeding... After you have dug up what you hope is a desire to dig a plant and plant its. ( 4 '' ), about 4 to 6 inches deep those for indoor winter displays through 8 days winter! Not only because the knowledge of them has been lost also easy to plant hyacinth flowers in sky,! Like most bulbs, and so do wear gloves when handling the bulbs where winter and. Garden ever for some tips on how to plant hyacinth flowers in the garden so you can see, bulbs. Individually, but it is not only because the knowledge of them has been.... Same size as a daffodil bulb what potatoes and other foods grow from onions because they belong the! Original bulbs the following hyacinth varieties are single-flower: hyacinth fades, to! ), spacing them about 3 to 4 inches deep with a definite root end and stem end cool wet! Experiences winter temperatures and breaks dormancy are what potatoes and other foods grow from even!
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