Hyacinth Gypsy Queen with her soft coral coloring, brings a cheerful sight to the dull days of late winter - heavenly scented, this stunner is perfect in a pot, vase, and garden. Hyacinth bulbs are the very essence of Spring. The lovely, strong-scented trusses are a welcome sight after the long Winter. Hyacinth bulbs are easily grown in pots, or in the garden – their delightful scent heralds that Spring has finally arrived! Plant in a Sunny, well-drained position – raise the beds if the soil is heavy or wet, and place the bulbs 8-10cm apart, 8-10cm deep. After flowering, cut off the old flower spikes to encourage bulb growth, but ensure you leave the leaves on.

Hyacinth Planting Guide

Hyacinths are a heavily scented Spring Flowering variety that is fantastic grown indoors, in pots, or out in the garden - their striking colors make a real statement.

Hyacinth history...

Originally, Hyacinths grew only in the lands around the Mediterranean Sea, especially in Turkey. Not surprisingly then, the species which is the ancestor of all the cultivated varieties has been named Hyacinthus orientalis.

The cultivation of Hyacinths in Holland goes back more than 400 years, but they were also familiar plants in the Greek and Roman periods.

The 17th and 18th centuries were times of intense speculation in Hyacinth bulbs. Occasionally, a single bulb would sell for 300 dollars, a lot of money in those days! Fortunately for us, they are now fairly reasonably priced.

The propagation and cultivation of the hyacinth bulbs themselves is uncommonly complicated. Much professional experience and special soil is required for good results. Growing them to produce flowers, either indoors or in the garden, however, is very, very simple.

Planting in pots or the ground…

• Hyacinths like to have a chilling period to ensure their flowers aren’t stunted, so if you live in a warm region, you’ll need to chill your Bulbs in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Keep the Bulbs in the paper bag they came in, and chill them from late March, until early to mid-April (chilling!, not freezing)
• Hyacinths require free draining soil, and Full Sun to part shade. If you want your Hyacinths to have longer stems, then part shade is recommended.
• Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 15cm, and mix in some general-purpose fertilizer, or our specifically formulated Bulb Food.
• Plant 10cm deep, with the pointy part of the Bulb facing upwards.
  Hyacinths will need to be lifted around December/January if you live in a warmer district, as you’ll need to go through the chilling period again to get a good flowering crop.

Planting in Hyacinth glasses…

‘Forcing’ Hyacinth by growing them in glass jars is increasingly popular, and fairly straightforward, and is the perfect way of bringing the beautiful fragrance into your home - it’s also a fantastic way of forcing your Hyacinths to flower earlier than usual.