Hyacinthus

( hye - uh - SINTH - us )

At-A-Glance Information

These perennial flowers grow from bulb, and are also called Common Hyacinth or simply Hyacinth. These Mediterranean natives need full sun and regular waterings during their growth and blooming periods. The colorful flowers appear in springtime, rising on stems that sprout from a bundle of bright green leaves. Species take various forms, and are great for containers, beds, and naturalizing in large areas. Handling their bulbs may cause skin irritation, so take precautions when planting and dividing these fragrant beauties.

Hyacinthus Species and Varietals

The genus Hyacinthus includes just three species, and is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae. The best growing zones for these bulbs are USDA hardiness zones 4-8. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Hyacinthus spp. Hybrids (Dutch Hyacinth, Dutch Hybrids)
These flowers, derived from Hyacinthus orientalis, reach a foot tall and have strap-like leaves. Flower spikes are large, and hold numerous waxy blooms. Flowers can come in white, cream, buff, pink, salmon, yellow, red, blue or purple. These hybrids are wonderful for container plantings. Cultivars are listed below:

'Aiolos'

'Anna Liza'

'Apricot Passion'

'Blue Jacket'

'Blue Trophy'

'City of Haarlem'

'Dark Dimension'

'Delft Blue'

'Eros'

'Fondant'

'Gipsy Queen'

'Jan Bos'

'Minos'

'Miss Saigon'

'Pink Pearl'

'Purple Sensation'

'Royal Navy'

'Splendid Cornelia'

'White Pearl'

'Woodstock'

Caring for Hyacinthus

Handling Hyacinthus bulbs may cause skin irritation, so take precautions when planting and dividing. In cold-temperature regions (where temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit), plant bulbs in early fall. In warmer-winter regions, plant in mid-fall. Larger bulbs should be set 4-5 inches deep and 5 inches apart and smaller bulbs should be planted 4 inches apart at a depth of three inches. Hyacinths appreciate well-draining soil that is relatively rich in nutrients, with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Add a layer of organic mulch around the planting area after installing these bulbs to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and to decrease soil temperature fluctuations. If you are growing Hyacinth in a container, provide with a porous potting mix and bury the bulb so the tip is just under the surface of the soil. Keep mulched until growth begins, then remove mulch and place the bulbs in full sun.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. To prune these plants, simply remove the flowering spikes after they fade and continue to water regularly until leaves turn yellow. Once leaves have fully died back, they can be removed. Mulch over the top of bulbs over winter to protect them from freezing temperatures. Every two or three years, these plants will need to be divided, especially if they are grown in containers. For instructions on how to divide Hyacinth bulbs, see the Propagation section below. The individual bulbs have a life span of between 3 and 4 years and produce offsets that can be removed and replanted elsewhere, providing new flowers for the landscape indefinitely.

Propagation

Hyacinth plants are most commonly propagated via division, or separation of offset bulbils. Handling their bulbs may cause skin irritation, so take precautions when planting and dividing. To propagate your Hyacinth plant by division, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Hyacinthus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every 2 to 3 years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if they are being cultivated in containers. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the bulb(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick bulb section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, replant your bulbs and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.