Good to know about hyacinths
Hyacinthus, Hyacinth is a genus with 5 species that spread throughout the Mediterranean, in Europe and Western Asia to Iran. The common hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis, has a large bulb, which is planted in ordinary, well-drained garden soil at a depth of 20 cm from September right up to December. They will bloom in early spring, March-April, with dense flower spikes with a strong, perfumed scent in magnificent colors from white, pink, blue, yellow orange, violet to almost black-purple.
Most can be forced into bloom indoors after a period of cooling, but there are prepared, cold-treated bulbs that can be forced immediately.
Remember bone meal when planting your hyacinths. After that, supplement regularly with NPK fertilizer during the hyacinth's leaf growth and flowering.
Hyacinth, Common Hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis
Garden hyacinths come in many beautiful colours, blooming in April-May and smelling heavenly! Garden hyacinths should be grown in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil in a sunny spot in the garden. They can be grown directly in the garden soil or in pots. When planting, the bulbs should be placed in September-December at a depth of 20 cm.
Garden hyacinths grow to approximately 25 cm in height.
Hyacinths for forcing, prepared hyacinths
Forced hyacinths are specially treated hyacinths that have undergone a process to make them bloom early. Hyacinth bulbs are planted in pots in September with one-third of the bulb above the soil. This is necessary if they are to bloom by Christmas. The pot is then placed in a cool, dark place for 8-10 weeks. They are watered while the roots are forming. When the flower buds emerge above the leaves, they can be brought indoors for final forcing at room temperature.
If you wish to force your hyacinths in a glass, the same procedure applies. Fill the glass with water so that the bulb just barely does *not* touch the water. Then, place a paper cone over the glass. The glasses are kept in a cool place and regularly refilled with water, but always in a way that prevents the water from touching the bulb. When the flower bud emerges above the leaves, remove the paper cone, and the glass can be brought indoors for final forcing at room temperature.
Hyacinths are a good, strong flower that works well on its own - and is highly sought after due to its strong scent - but it also works well alongside other flower bulbs. Together with tulips, it can contribute to a flower bed or pot with great variation in both color and height.