Hyacinthus x orientalis China Pink

The Hyacinthus orientalis China Pink is one of the many hybrids derived from the oriental hyacinth. It displays an elegant spike, with a perfect shape, composed of single flowers but with a delicate hue, a nuanced pale pink with hints of peach, as subtle as a watercolour. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also delightfully fragrant. This bulbous plant can be grown both in the garden, in fertile and moist but well-drained soil, and in pots for winter flowering indoors. Outdoors, it blooms in the middle of the hyacinth season, in March-April.

While the Oriental Hyacinth is no longer cultivated much, this species native to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions has given rise to countless cultivars highly appreciated in gardens for their delightful spring flowering or in floristry for their forcing ability. This naturalized botanical species can be found in France in Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Alpes-Maritimes, and Lot-et-Garonne.

The China Pink hyacinth, just like it, belongs to the family of hyacinthaceae, or asparagaceae. It has a large oval bulb and forms a clump of bright green ribbon-like leaves from spring, from which emerges, in April-May, a robust flower stalk, 20 cm (8in) long, bearing numerous star-shaped flowers, diaphanous, with a thick and translucent substance, pastel pink with a slightly darker heart, and a sweet scent. The foliage is deciduous in summer; it reappears in late winter.

Among early flowering plants, the hyacinth is one of the few bulbs with large flowers. Reserve a prime spot for it in the garden, not far from the entrance of the house to enjoy its fragrance with every passing. It will bring spectacular splashes of colour to your flowerbeds. Hyacinths can easily be combined with other early bulbs such as Chionodoxas or early Tulips humilis. Their flowers are edible, raw or cooked, and have a slightly mucilaginous texture. They can be sugared or added to fruit salads according to taste. In the past, they were considered a delicacy and could be found under the name "confit of Constantinople hyacinths".