Hyacinthus x orientalis Crystal Palace

The Hyacinth or Hyacinthus orientalis Crystal Palace is a hybrid hyacinth with very double, even triple, flowers in a deep blue-violet colour, pleasantly fragrant. Its beautiful clusters of flowers, almost navy blue, bloom from the end of March or in April depending on the climate. Combine it with white, yellow, or orange varieties in borders, pots, and vases, for example, its flowers have excellent staying power!

If the Oriental Hyacinth is almost no longer cultivated, this delicate species with small spikes of blue flowers native to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions has given rise to countless cultivars called Dutch Hyacinths, highly appreciated in gardens for their deliciously fragrant spring flowering or in floristry for their forcing ability. This botanical species can be found naturalized in France in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Alpes-Maritimes, and Lot-et-Garonne.

The Crystal Palace hyacinth, just like it, belongs to the family of hyacinths, or asparagus. It has a large oval bulb and forms a clump of bright green ribbon-like leaves from spring, from which a robust floral stem emerges in March-April, 20 cm (8in) long, carrying 30 to 40 star-shaped flowers with three rows of petals, 2 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) long, tightly packed together, with a thick and waxy substance, dark blue tinged with violet, and a sweet fragrance. The flowering is nectar-rich, attracting butterflies. It is accompanied by deciduous foliage, disappearing in summer and reappearing in late winter. It consists of bright green leaves 15 to 35 cm (6 to 14in) long. The hyacinth reaches a height of 25-30 cm (10-12in) at maturity.

Among early flowering plants, the hyacinth is one of the few bulbs with large flowers. The Crystal Palace Hyacinth can be grown in borders, pots, or vases. In the ground, it will renew itself for several years. In a pot, it will only last for one season. Reserve a special place in the garden, not far from the entrance to the house, to enjoy its fragrance every time you pass by. It will bring spectacular splashes of colour to your flower beds. Hyacinths can easily be combined with other early bulbs such as Chionodoxas, Ipheions, hybrid crocuses, or early Tulips humilis. Their flowers are edible, raw or 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 that could be found under the name of "crystallized Constantinople hyacinth".