Hyacinth: planting, cultivation and maintenance

Description and Botany

Hyacinths are charming spring bulbous plants forming an upright tuft of linear, bright green foliage that disappears in summer. In March-April, the fleshy flower stem bears numerous bells called florets, with 6 waxy, curved petals, white or blue for wild varieties.

Previously classified under Liliaceae, this plant is now part of the Asparagaceae family. However, some botanists consider them typical enough to be placed in a dedicated family, the Hyacinthaceae.

Native to the Middle East and introduced to France in the 16th century, Hyacinthus orientalis, a slender variety with a soft bouquet of blue flowers, is the source of many hybrids with more abundant flowering spikes known as Dutch hyacinths.

These various cultivars display colours ranging from white to pink and varying shades of purple, as well as orange and yellow. For our delight, the selection has expanded with double-flowered hyacinths such as “Crystal Palace”, more sophisticated and the multiflorous hyacinths, graceful cultivars featuring multiple, finer flower stems with a more natural appearance.

Hyacinthus orientalis – botanical illustration

Any well-drained soil in full sun or light partial shade is suitable and hyacinths require little maintenance: cutting faded flowers ensures a beautiful flowering the following year… and that’s it! They disappear in summer to preserve themselves from drought, and the bulb also withstands winter cold. The cold period triggers the vegetative cycle. This specificity is exploited to allow for early flowering by artificially placing the bulbs at low temperatures, then at a warmer temperature, simulating the transition from winter to spring: this is the forcing of hyacinths. This is how we can bring flowers into our homes in the heart of winter.

Hyacinths offer us a delightfully fragrant flowering in March-April lasting 3 to 4 weeks. It is preferable to leave the foliage until it yellows to replenish the bulbs’ reserves and ensure beautiful future blooms. Perennials will be welcome to hide the wilting.

Finally, the word hyacinth can refer to other plants, whether from the same family or not, that resemble the true hyacinth:

• wild hyacinth or wood hyacinth or Scilla nutans which blooms in woodlands just after hyacinths, in April-May
• the orchid hyacinth or Bletilla striata, a terrestrial orchid flowering in June-July
• the Cape hyacinth, Galtonia candicans and Galtonia viridiflora, South African bulbous plants that bloom in summer
• the water hyacinth or Eichhornia azurea, an Amazonian aquatic plant

Several shapes and colours: Hyacinthus ‘Dark Dimension’, Hyacinthus ‘Blue Eyes’, Hyacinthus ‘Jan Bos’, Hyacinthus multiflora pink, Hyacinthus ‘Woodstock’.

The main varieties of hyacinths

Most Popular

Our Favourite Varieties

Varieties to Discover

Varieties Prepared for Indoors

Variety Mixes

Hyacinthus x orientalis Blue pearl

very beautiful iridescent variety like pearls. Intense blue colour.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

 

Hyacinthus x orientalis China Pink

fresh and lovely colour for this graceful variety. Inside, one will enjoy its delicate dragee pink colour much more.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Hyacinthus Gipsy Queen - Garden Hyacinth

extraordinary variety with warm and elegant tones of orange infused with a salmon hue. For bold combinations with blue or violet flowers or chic and refined beds with cream or pure white.

• Flowering time May
• Height at maturity 25 cm

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Hyacinthus x orientalis Madame Sophie

imposing size and double cream flowers, a variety of great elegance!

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Hyacinthus x orientalis City of Harleem

pale yellow cultivar, to be paired with cream-coloured daffodils, for a soft and bright spring.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

See the product sheet

Hyacinthus x orientalis Multiflora Blue

variety with several spikes of dark blue flowers, with a less rigid habit than other hyacinths. Ideal for a naturalistic garden or to bring a touch of lightness and flexibility to a strict contemporary garden.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Hyacinthus x orientalis Hollyhock

spectacular magenta rose for this double-flowered hyacinth, both deep and vibrant. An old variety that has proven itself.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 20 cm

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Hyacinthus x orientalis Dark Dimension

this is the black hyacinth! Clusters of single flowers with purple reflections that will add depth to a bed or pot.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 25 cm

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Hyacinthus Blue Magic - Garden Hyacinth

intense blue hyacinths with a bright white eye! An unprecedented colour for this magical hyacinth...

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 25 cm

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Hyacinthus Delft Blue - Garden Hyacinth

exceptional variety for indoors. Sweet and generous fragrance, magnificent blue, shiny foliage and bluish-purple stem: everything is gathered to decorate our interior.

• Height at maturity 25 cm

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Hyacinthus Fondant Prepared

in a bright and cool room, it will give you beautiful spikes of soft pink.

• Flowering time March, April
• Height at maturity 20 cm

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Collection of 30 Hyacinths

6 labelled cultivars for a harmonious mix, in a range of pinks, blues and violets. For pots or beds.

• Flowering time April
• Height at maturity 20 cm

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Harmony Hyacinths Ocean

magnificent combination of blues illuminated by white for this fresh and spectacular mix.

• Flowering time March, April
• Height at maturity 20 cm

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Romantic Stroll Collection

harmonious assortment of blues and violets warmed by the orange of botanical tulips. For the garden, as these bulbs tend to naturalise.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

See the product sheet

How to plant hyacinths

Hyacinths are planted like all spring bulbs. The sheet “planting bulbs” describes in detail all the planting tips.

Where to plant hyacinths?

Hyacinths thrive in well-drained soil. In damp ground, add sand or gravel at planting to improve drainage, which prevents the bulbs from rotting.

Place hyacinths in full sun or light partial shade to optimise flowering. Consider pairing them with later-flowering perennials, such as columbines or masterworts, which will both hide their yellowing foliage during spring and fill the gap created by the bulb entering dormancy.

For indoors, choose a bright spot away from any heat sources: hyacinths bloom as soon as a warm spell occurs, but they will dry out if it gets too hot. By maintaining a cool and homogeneous temperature, no more than 19°C, the flowering will be long and generous.

When to plant?

The best time to plant spring bulbs is from October to early November. If planting is done later, fortunately, it does not affect the survival of hyacinths: flowering will be delayed and the plants will be a bit weak, but in subsequent years, everything will return to normal. Discover the tips on the sheet “how to plant your spring bulbs late”.

→ Planting hyacinths in the ground

Hyacinths are perfect for borders, under bushes, or to awaken a summer bed that is empty at the end of winter. They will settle there for a long time. After the plump spikes of the first years, they will form less opulent but graceful and light stems with a more natural appearance. To plant your hyacinths in the garden:

• Dig a planting hole. Add coarse sand to make the soil more draining,
• Place the bulb, point facing upwards, 8 to 10 cm deep and 15 to 20 cm apart,
• Cover with a mixture of soil and one-third potting soil, then water lightly to settle.

→ Planting hyacinths in pots

Due to their small size, hyacinths are among the preferred plants for window boxes. Their fabulous fragrance will be much more appreciated on a windowsill, within nose reach! To plant your hyacinths in pots:

• Place gravel or broken pot pieces to ensure drainage,
• Fill with potting soil,
• Plant the bulbs about ten centimetres deep,
• Water to settle the soil.

For a beautiful and original spring pot, don’t hesitate to plant several bulbs of different genera one above the other: this is the method of lasagne bulbs.

Hyacinths are traditionally used to flower indoors at Christmas. To learn more, visit our article: “Christmas Hyacinth: how to force it and make it bloom”

Caring for hyacinths

Hyacinths are not demanding, but you can cut the faded flowers to prolong the flowering. This action also prevents the formation of seeds that weaken the bulb, thus ensuring a beautiful flowering the following year.

Hyacinth bulbs can withstand temperatures down to -15°C in well-drained soil. For regions with milder winters, lift the bulbs after the leaves have wilted and store them dry until the following autumn.

An excess of water is harmful to hyacinths, which is why, in pots or containers, it is recommended to water moderately when the substrate is dry.

Diseases and Pests

Rot is the main disease of bulbs and this is most often due to poor drainage: as a preventive measure, take care when planting by choosing well-drained soil. In damp ground, add sand or small gravel at the bottom of the planting hole. Naturally, moderate watering is also advised!

Slugs and snails may be tempted by young shoots… there are several ways to defend against nematodes that you will find in the advice sheet “Slugs: 7 effective ways to fight naturally.”

Hyacinth Propagation

Sowing is long and uncertain, and it is preferable to collect the bulbets present around the edges of hyacinth bulbs. Replant them in a pot so they can develop under the best conditions. When they are strong enough, replant these new bulbs in their final position in autumn.

Associations

In the garden, hyacinths are best planted in numbers, as the colourful carpet they create is magnificent! It is always preferable to place them near a pathway to fully enjoy their enchanting fragrance.

At the border, plant hyacinths with ground covers or low perennials that will hide the yellowing foliage of the hyacinth: a compact geranium that flowers in early summer or low heucheras like Heuchera Sweet Tart.

An example of pairing: Yellow hyacinth like ‘City of Harleem’, White hyacinth like ‘Madame Sophie’, Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ mixed with some clumps of Carex buchananii.

Carex with subtle tones like Carex oshimensis Everest, or with warm tones of Carex oshimensis Evergold with a soft and light habit contrast beautifully with the opulent spikes of the hyacinths. These small grass/hyacinth scenes can be advantageously transferred to pots or planters.

Consider violas and primroses that will accompany the flowering of the hyacinths. Daffodils and botanical tulips also bloom at the same time and, along with the hyacinths, will joyfully enliven a corner of the garden or terrace.

Don’t forget the spring bulb collections made up of harmonious assortments that can be planted in the garden or in original and fragrant pots.

An example of pairing: Anemone coronarius, Muscari latifolium, Hyacinthus ‘Woodstock’, Hyacinthus ‘Pink Pearl’, Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’.

Did you know?

Hyacinth flowers are edible. In the past, they were crystallised in sugar to create a highly prized confection known as “Constantinople hyacinth preserve.” They can be consumed raw or cooked. Here are some recipe ideas provided by the flower fairy workshop.