Hyacinth Bulbs

Garden hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are spring flowering variety of the lily family that most gardening enthusiasts prefer growing indoors or in garden soil. They are best known for their star-shaped flowers borne in dense clusters in a long spike inflorescence (each measuring about 10 inch). The vibrant colored hyacinth blooms are not only large and magnificent, but they are fragrant too, thus filling the garden and/or rooms with a pervading scent. Another reason for its wide popularity is that it is easy to grow and maintain in water or any type of soil. Read more on water hyacinth care.

How to Plant Hyacinth Bulbs?

Growing hyacinth bulbs is no different from other spring flowering bulbs. Understand the basic gardening skills and you can maintain healthy hyacinth plants in your flower garden. Being a hardy plant, you can grow hyacinth bulbs in water, indoors or outdoor gardens. Mention below are tips for growing and maintaining hyacinth bulbs:

Growing Site: Hyacinths bulbs thrive well in partial to full sun. But, you will get the largest blooms when planted in bright sunlight. Therefore, accordingly select the plantation site in your garden. To keep hyacinth bulbs indoor (home or office), place them in a corner that receives indirect sunlight.

Planting Time: Planting hyacinth bulbs at the correct time is crucial to promote quick germination and flowering in mid spring. So, when to plant hyacinth bulbs? Fall is the best time to grow hyacinth bulbs; you can prepare soil and plant them 6 - 8 weeks before the arrival of heavy frost.

Select Hyacinth Variety: Based on the cultivar, hyacinth plants bloom in different colors such as white, yellow, pink, blue, purple and red. As per your personal choice, select the variety that will complement the landscape design and/or interior design of the room.

Purchase Hyacinth Bulbs: Hyacinths plants are propagated exclusively by means of bulbs. In order to get larger blooms, you should select healthy and big size bulbs. You can opt for varieties that flower early in late winter. Also, do not forget to check the disease and pest resistance of the hyacinth bulbs.

Prepare Soil: Using a tiller, loosen garden soil thoroughly to a depth of 10 - 15 inch and remove weeds. Supplement the soil with 2 - 4 inch farmyard compost. In case you are planting hyacinth bulbs in a pot, purchase potting mixture from the nursery or prepare on your own by mixing one part each of sand, loam and compost. A pot of 5 - 6 inch diameter is excellent for growing a single hyacinth bulb.

Grow Hyacinth Bulbs: Dig soil to a depth of 6 - 8 inch and place the hyacinth bulb with the pointed end facing up. Cover the bulb with soil and press firmly to remove air pockets. Assemble hyacinth bulbs in groups (4 - 6 inch between two plants) to create a peculiar design in the garden. Or if maintained in containers, you can plant different hyacinth varieties in one pot.

Hyacinth Bulbs Care: As long as the soil is well drained, the hyacinth plants will remain healthy and disease free. Caring for hyacinth bulbs includes watering regularly to keep the soil moist (not very wet) and supplementing the soil with compost, immediately before the flower buds appear. Avoid crowding the hyacinth bulbs, as it can have a negative impact in the flower size.

After Bloom Care: Hyacinth flowers are larger and more vibrant in the first year of plantation, after which the flowers decrease in size gradually. Thus, most hobbyists prefer replanting annually. After the hyacinth blooms dry out, cut the flower stalk at the base (deadheading). This will help conserve the nutrients for the next growing season. But, allow the leaves to grow and desiccate on their own.

Growing hyacinth bulbs is easy and fun, with which you get to enjoy the spectacular and fragrant blooms in spring. You can also force the plants to flower early by growing them indoors in a control environmental condition. Decorate with cut hyacinth flowers and at the same time, fill the room with a heady fragrance.