Modern hyacinths are some of the easiest-to-grow spring bulbs—they can be planted in the ground or pots, or grown in water in a bulb vase, no soil required. Hyacinths are best planted in early fall and will grow slowly, emerging as shoots in the spring. Please be careful: They are toxic to humans and pets. For the strongest and farthest-reaching scent, grow hyacinth in large groups.
Hyacinths also mix well with other spring-blooming bulbs, since they come in so many colors and sizes—their spiky flower stalks make a nice counterpoint to cup-shaped tulips and ruffled daffodils.
Most varieties of hyacinth bulbs are fairly large. For spring garden blooms, plant hyacinth bulbs in the fall six to eight weeks before the first frost. They should be placed root-end-down widest side , about 4 inches deep.
Give them some room to spread out by spacing them about 3 to 4 inches apart. Cover with soil, and water well. There are taller varietals that can tend to flop—you can stake them if you only have a few, or plant them closer together so that they support one another. Once the bulbs have finished blooming, cut off the flower stalks leave the leaves to encourage the plants to store energy in their bulbs. Plant your hyacinth bulbs in a spot that boasts full sun or partial shade.
As with all spring bulbs, hyacinths sprout, bloom, and start to fade into dormancy before deciduous trees fully leaf out, so you don't have to worry about too much shade from nearby trees. Aim to give the plants at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day.
Hyacinth bulbs are not particular about soil pH , but they do best in soil that is loose and well-drained and will not tolerate wet soils. Rich soil can lead to floppy stalks, so go easy on the organic matter when preparing or amending the soil.
Water the ground well after you plant the bulbs. Continue watering into winter if there is no regular rain, but allow the ground to dry out between watering. If the bulbs sit in cool, wet soil, they will eventually rot. Check the ground by sticking your finger in, and only water when it's totally dry.
Usually, it's once or twice a week depending on your climate. Hyacinth can be expected to survive the winter in USDA plant hardiness zones They may need some winter protection in zones lower than 4, and some pre-chilling in zones above 8, depending on the variety. Dig up the bulbs where winter temperatures remain above 60 degrees Fahrenheit and chill them somewhere dark and cold for six to 10 weeks.
Unfortunately, hyacinth bulbs are short-lived and will probably last only three or four years. Many people treat them as tender perennials and replace them yearly due to decline.
The easiest way to feed new bulbs is to toss some bulb food into the hole at planting time. There are many fertilizers available for feeding bulbs— is recommended—or you can use an ordinary bone meal. Feed the bulbs a mere handful at planting and again in the spring when the new growth first appears by scratching some bulb food into the nearby soil and watering well. Hyacinth bulbs don't usually live for more than about three or four years, but you may get some more life out of yours if you choose to propagate more bulbs.
When planting in pots—either plastic or clay will do, with good drainage on either—hyacinth bulbs can be spaced more closely than when planting in the ground because the bulbs won't need room to multiply. Keep hyacinths out of reach of curious pets and children, and wear gloves when handling hyacinth bulbs for long periods of time.
Yes and no. Hyacinths bloom just once per year in the spring , but they will happily bloom again in subsequent years if provided with the proper care. They are a perennial plant. I was away for awhile and came home to find "seeds" forming on the blossom stalks of a couple of my hyacinths I have several hyacinth bulbs that were dug up by a neighbor today, May 1st they are redoing their garden.
They are, of course done blooming for this year. I am in Maryland, zone 7b, about to start on a hot summer. Should I go ahead and plant the bulbs now? Or should I store them to plant in the fall?
In either case should I cut back the foliage? You mentioned that a commercial organic fertilizer can be sprinkled around the plants. What type? Bone meal invites the critters to dig. What causes hyacinth plants to bloom with only 4 or 5 flowers on the stem instead of a full bloom? If I fertilize more, will that help? They get plenty of sun and should store lots of energy for the next spring so why can't they grow a bunch of flowers?
A couple of things could cause weak or insufficientt blooms: not enough of a winter chill period, and failure to allow the foliage to die back naturally. Did they get mown down? The foliage makes the energy to bloom in the next season. I read the articles and am still confused! My friend gave me a potted hyacinth plant in full bloom. I have a yard full of the beauties and can I add this potted one in my garden? As noted above, the planting time is mid- to late autumn.
Allow the gift to die back in ts container and plant it then,. I added hyacinth to my spring bulbs two years ago and have no issues with them outdoor thus far. But I wasn't aware of just how powerful the smell is when cut and displayed in a vase indoors. As with everything in life, people have differing opinions and differing responses to stimuli. I found the hyacinth scent far too strong, to the point of creating a mild headache and some sinus discomfort.
While they are gorgeous in the garden, I still wanted some for vases. The good news is that hyacinth scent is most powerful the first day or so after they are cut. Since they last nearly a week in a vase, the solution was simple: cut some, leave them in the hall or basement to give off the strongest scent, then bring them in! Give it a try if they are too strong for you.
My hyacinth is two years old and in a pot since last year. I live in zone 7, NC. I brought it back out in the sun and it seems happy except for the flowers. What can I do for it? Every spring, work in a little slow-release bulb fertiliser into the compost surface. Check and water the compost to keep it moist, but not waterlogged.
I was given some lovely potted hyacinths and they have now finished blooming. I live in Tucson, Arizona - zone 9. How can I keep them going? Any alternative to planting outdoors? I received a potted hyacinth earlier this year, and I kept it in the same place since it has lost its bloom and leaves.
Now it looks like it is starting to bloom, with the bulbs resurfacing and a sprout emerging. Should I water it, or leave it be? Also should I open my shade in the window to let it get light or keep the shade down? I live in New England so it gets cold, but can be quite sunny in that window in the afternoon.
Water it, give it light, and see what happens. Potted bulbs are usually forced to bloom for the spring holidays and enthusiasms, so this may be its last hurrah. Hi, I received a potted hyacinth on Thursday May 28, When I received them two bulbs were already dropping they were laying on the table.
Now Sunday May 31, all the bulbs are laying on the table. What does this meaning? What do I do now? I watered them on Thursday and then again last night. How do I take care of the Hyacinth? Purchased potted bulbs say that three times fast are almost always forced. We can only guess that perhaps they were weak or even spent just before you received them.
Or, and this is just a wild hunch, if the person who gave them to you transplanted blooming bulbs into the pot as a gift, they did not survive the uprooting and resetting, so flopped over, confused about what to do and weary from the experience.
I have some great Hyacinth bulbs and am planning on them returning for years to come Columbus, Ohio. Early spring garden care. Bulb care after flowering. Go from Plant Bulbs in Spring back to Flowerbulbs.
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