Hyacinthus x orientalis Multiflora Blue

The Hyacinthus Multiflora Blue is a hybrid hyacinth that has the peculiarity of developing several stems bearing flowers instead of just one like regular hyacinths. The star-shaped flowers of this variety are a fairly deep blue with a white edge. A special cultivation technique allows multiflora hyacinths to produce multiple daughter bulbs capable of flowering at the same time. Forming a beautiful cluster of light blue and fragrant spikes, with a very natural appearance, this variety is particularly showcased in a wider pot than it is tall. In the garden, cultivate it in fertile and fresh, but well-drained, even dry soil in summer. Outdoors, it blooms in the middle of the hyacinth season, in March-April.

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

The Multiflora hyacinth initially has, like all other Oriental hyacinths, a large ovate bulb. The trick is to prevent it from flowering in order to force it to produce multiple daughter bulbs that will feed on the mother bulb to each form a floral spike. This multiple bulb forms a cluster of bright green ribbon-like leaves from spring, from which emerge, in March-April, 8 to 12 robust dark-coloured floral stems, 20 cm (8in) long, with loose spikes bearing several star-shaped flowers, with a thick and waxy substance, medium blue in colour, finely edged with white and a slightly darker center, and a sweet fragrance. The foliage is deciduous in summer and reappears at the end of winter.

Among early bloomers, the hyacinth is one of the few bulbs with large flowers. Reserve a prominent place for it on the terrace, balcony, garden, or even on a windowsill, not far from the house to enjoy its fragrance with every passing, as it is truly extraordinary when the sun warms the flowers. The multiflora hyacinth will bring colour to the garden, but also a very natural touch to flower beds, unlike classic varieties that are sometimes considered a bit stiff and artificial. They can easily be combined with other early bulbs such as Chionodoxas, hybrid crocuses, or early-flowering Tulipa humilis. Their flowers are edible, both raw and cooked, and have a slightly mucilaginous texture. Depending on preferences, they can be crystallized with sugar or added to fruit salads. In the past, they were a delicacy that could be found under the name of "candied Constantinople hyacinths".