Hyacinthus x orientalis City of Harleem

The Hyacinthus orientalis City of Harleem is one of the many hybrids derived from the oriental hyacinth. It displays a robust spike of single cream-yellow flowers, delicately scented. Hyacinths are bulbous plants that can be grown both in the garden, in fertile and moist but well-drained soil, and in pots for winter flowering indoors. Outdoors, this variety blooms at the end of the hyacinth season.

While the Oriental Hyacinth is no longer widely cultivated, 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 botanical species is naturalized in France in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Alpes-Maritimes, and Lot-et-Garonne departments.

The City of Harleem hyacinth, just like it, belongs to the hyacinthaceae or asparagaceae family. It has a large oval bulb and forms a clump of shiny green ribbon-like leaves from spring onwards, from which a robust flower stem emerges in April-May, bearing numerous pale yellow star-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance. The foliage is deciduous in summer; it reappears at the end of winter.

Among early flowering plants, the hyacinth is one of the few bulbs with large flowers. Reserve a prominent place 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 flower beds. Hyacinths can easily be combined with other early bulbs such as Chionodoxas or early-flowering Tulips. Their flowers are edible, both raw and cooked, and have a slightly mucilaginous texture. Depending on your preferences, you can crystallize them with sugar or incorporate them into fruit salads. In the past, they were considered a delicacy and could be found under the name of "candied hyacinths of Constantinople".