How to Grow Perfect Hyacinths and Produce Flowering Bulbs

Myth:

An ancient Greek myth tells of the origin of the Hyacinth. Two of the gods, the sun god Apollo and Zephyr god of the west wind, were extremely fond of a handsome young Greek named Hyakinthos. One day, while Apollo was teaching Hyakinthos how to throw a discus, Zephyr saw them together and became jealous. Without intending to harm the lad, he used his mighty power to blow the discus back. It struck Hyakinthos on the head and killed him instantly. From his blood grew a flower, which Apollo named after him.

Facts:

A member of the Lily family, hyacinths are a beautiful and sweetly scented flowering bulb. They are often mistakenly called Dutch Bulbs, attributing their origin to the Netherlands, but their actual origin is in Turkey. Back in the 1500s, traders brought them back to Europe and discovered that the soil and climate of the Netherlands were ideally suited to their natures. Upon being introduced to the United States, they quickly became a sensation.

There are many varieties of hyacinths, including the colors purple, blue, white, pink and yellow. The bulbs flower in the spring.k

They are also popular in wintertime, making an easy forced bloom. For those who miss gardening during the cold, gray, snowy months after fall, you can exercise your green thumb by cultivating your own hyacinths and forcing them to bloom indoors. With the right care, they will reward your efforts with beautiful and fragrant blooms just as if they were grown out of doors.

Growing hyacinths is simple if you remember these seven easy rules:

1. Selecting Bulbs

Since hyacinths are grown from bulbs, to have strong, healthy plants in the spring, be sure and select good quality bulbs that have not dried out. Remember, the larger the bulb, the bigger the flowers next spring, so choose large, solid bulbs. Also, you should dig up your bulbs after a few years. Separate and replant them to avoid overcrowding.

2. Planting

Always plant hyacinth bulbs in the fall, about two to four weeks before the first good frost causes the ground to freeze. This will allow the roots to develop underground before the cold of approaching winter turns them dormant. Plant them about 6 inches deep, spacing the plants six inches apart.

3. Soil

Sandy soil is excellent for hyacinths which require good drainage. If they are planted in very wet soil the bulbs will rot.

Before you place the bulbs in the soil you might want to add a little bulb fertilizer to the hole. If your flower bed is an existing one from previous years, simply spread the fertilizer on top of the soil. Then work it in gently to avoid damaging the bulbs.

4. Sunlight

Hyacinths prefer bright sunlight (6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day), but will also grow well in shade to full sun. Water thoroughly after planting.

5. Watering

Continue to water your hyacinths regularly only if there is a lack of rain. Soil may be kept drier in summertime.

6. Fertilizing

The best time to fertilize bulbs is in the fall, when the new roots are growing. But if you don’t manage to do it then, early spring is a second chance. Use a slow-release fertilizer formulated especially for bulbs, such as a granular Daffodil fertilizer. While you can place the fertilizer directly in the hole if planting new bulbs, in order to avoid direct contact with the bulbs, it may be best to spread it evenly on top of the soil for both new and old bulbs. Repeat every fall.

7. Dormancy

Hyacinths usually go dormant within 8-12 weeks after flowering and remain so throughout the fall and winter. Once they are finished blooming, let the plants grow without cutting them down until the leaves fall off. It is necessary for them to have this time after blooming to store energy in the bulbs for next year. It is best to remove the dead plants by snipping them off at the base.

If you follow these seven easy steps you should soon have a thriving patch of hyacinths that will give you little maintenance trouble, and provide you with the pleasure of their beauty and rich perfume for years to come.