Alphabetical Plant Listing

Learn How To Plant, Grow and Care for Hyacinth

Dutch Hyacinth, Common Hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers


Symbols of peace, commitment, and beauty, hyacinths are wonderfully fragrant, spring-flower bulbs boasting colorful flower spikes packed with a multitude of florets. They have been developed from Hyacinthus orientalis, a species named in 1562, and which originates in central and southern Turkey, North Western Syria, and Lebanon. 

All you need to know about Hyacinths

  • Blooming starts in early to mid-spring and lasts about 2 weeks, depending on the weather. Hyacinths flower only once each year and they parade their heavily fragrant blooms at the same time as early tulips and mid-season daffodils.
     
  • Hyacinth is a perennial bulb. It grows back year after year and gently spreads and multiplies under good growing conditions, creating drifts of colorful flowers. This is because hyacinth bulbs produce new little bulbs (bulblets) that develop on the mother bulb. Hyacinth bulbs, however, will generally only last 3 or 4 years.
     
  • Each hyacinth bulb produces basal, narrowly strap-shaped leaves and one flower stalk that reaches 8-12 in. tall (20-30 cm).
     
  • There are 3 types of hyacinths: single hyacinth (with closely-packed single florets), double hyacinth (with closely-packed double florets), and multiflora hyacinth (with loose floret arrangement and multiple flower stalks). They offer a wide range of colors, including blue, pink, lilac, purple, yellow, apricot, red, and white.
     
  • Hyacinth flowers look great in perennial borders and mixed with other spring flower bulbs such as daffodils, early double tulips, chionodoxa, scilla, and muscari. They are also great candidates for patio containers or indoor pots where their fragrance and beauty can be enjoyed. Hyacinths also make long-lasting cut flowers.
     
  • The best time to plant hyacinth bulbs is in the fall. Hyacinths can also be forced for indoor blooms in the winter.
     
  • Hyacinths make gardening easy. Once planted, there is nothing left to do: these bulbs can stay right where they are and produce flowers year after year. After blooming, remove the faded flowers, but do not remove the foliage until it withers. Cutting off the foliage before it has died back naturally may prevent the bulbs from storing enough energy for next year’s bloom. As a result, your hyacinths may not bloom next spring. 
     
  • Hyacinths contain oxalic acid — a substance that makes them deer or rodent resistant. Ingestion may cause severe discomfort. They are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Handling hyacinth bulbs can also cause mild skin irritation. Protective gloves are recommended. 

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Hyacinthus - Hyacinths
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid)
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
Compare All Hyacinthus - Hyacinths Great Plant Combination Ideas with Hyacinthus - Hyacinths Guides with Hyacinthus - Hyacinths

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Hyacinthus - Hyacinths
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid)
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
Compare All Hyacinthus - Hyacinths Great Plant Combination Ideas with Hyacinthus - Hyacinths Guides with Hyacinthus - Hyacinths

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