Hyacinths and Grape Hyacinths are two different types of hyacinths.
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus) are a type of hyacinth. Hyacinth flowers are now available in a spectrum of colours, including lilacs, pinks, white, cobalt blue, cream, apricot, and even a blood red hue.
Each hyacinth bulb produces a bloom stalk that is 8 to 10 inches tall. The hyacinth’s racemes (clusters) of intensely fragrant single or double blooms can range from loose to dense.
Grape hyacinths (Muscari) are not related to actual hyacinths, yet hyacinths bloom in the same time frame and require the same care. Small clusters of bell-shaped, cobalt-blue flowers adorn this tiny beauty.
For the purpose of convenience, we’ll refer to both Hyacinthus and Muscari plants as “hyacinths” on this page!
Hyacinths look best at the front of a perennial garden, at the front door, along a walkway, or in mixed borders because they are one of the first flowers. These lovely flowers are also ideal for pots and planters. Hyacinths are also excellent cut flowers and look great in bouquets. You can bring the lovely scent of spring inside thanks to the flowers’ famed fragrance!
Hyacinths were admired in Victorian times for their sweet, lingering aroma, and they were massed in low beds in rows of one colour apiece. Hyacinths are thought to represent liveliness, sport, and rashness in general, though the meanings vary depending on the colour. Find out more about floral meanings.
Please keep in mind that most hyacinths grow best in zones 3 to 9. They must be exposed to temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 12 to 14 weeks. If the weather in your location does not reach as cold as this, you’ll need to chill the bulbs beforehand before planting hyacinths outside.
Planting hyacinths
If you want to plant hyacinth bulbs we have a good quite below. These spring-blooming bulbs are easy to plant and will start to flower mid-spring. Continue reading for all of our top tips on how to plant hyacinths.
When To Plant Hyacinth Bulbs
In August, treated bulbs can be planted in indoor containers and then replanted outside after blossoming the following spring. Outside bulbs can be planted in the early autumn.
Where To Plant Hyacinths
Hyacinths tolerate a wide range of soil types, but they prefer well-drained soil.
Choose a location that receives full sun for the biggest blooms and straightest stems. The bulbs can also tolerate partial shade.
Grow on well-draining, loosened soil that is somewhat rich. Hyacinths will decay in moist soil, so avoid low spots where water collects.
Loosen the soil and work in 2 to 4 inches of compost or bonemeal for fertility before planting.
How To Plant Hyacinth Spring Bulbs
Hyacinth bulbs should be planted 6″ deep. Space hyacinths 5 to 6″ apart (grape hyacinths can be spaced 2″ apart). Plant 1 to 2 inches deeper at the northern limits of their hardiness (USDA Zone 3) to ensure winter hardiness.
Dig a larger area if you want to plant 5 or more bulbs at the same time. Hyacinths in groups of 5 to 9 bulbs are particularly attractive.
Grape hyacinth looks best in drifts and in masses.
Place the bulb in the hole so that the sharp end is facing up.
Water thoroughly after planting and covering with soil.
Mulch around the plants with a 1- to 2-inch layer to keep weeds and disease at bay.
If you’re transplanting, water sparingly at first, then wait until flower buds form the following year before watering again.
Hyacinth (and daffodil) bulbs contain a chemical called oxalic acid, which can irritate sensitive skin. When working with these bulbs for long periods of time, wear gloves.
Planting A Hyacinth Indoors
Hyacinth bulbs can be encouraged to grow early in the winter for indoor display. To plant indoor hyacinths, make sure just the tips show in a soil-based potting mix in drainage-holed containers.
Allow at least 10 weeks in a dark spot at temperatures above freezing but not exceeding 7°C to allow roots to form.
When the shoots are about 1 inch long, gradually increase the light and temperature.
Water sparingly to avoid wetting the shoots or causing the soil to get waterlogged. Moisture, not wetness, should be present in the soil.
Forced hyacinths can be moved to the garden after blossoming and will bloom again the following year.
Caring For Hyacinths
Hyacinths are relatively simple to care for. The bulbs can either be left in the ground year after year or lifted after flowering and the foliage has withered down. Keep them in dry compost in a cool, dry spot until autumn, when it’s time to replant them.
When the bulbs have finished flowering, they begin to strengthen and develop flower buds for the following year. This is the most crucial time of year, and the plants require special attention.
Begin by deadheading the flowers as soon as they fade. The faded flower, as well as the developing seed pod behind the blossom, can be carefully pulled or cut off, but the leaves should be let to die down gradually. Avoid removing the foliage before it becomes brown, as the bulbs require the leaves to feed them.
While they’re still in leaf, give them a liquid meal every 10 to 14 days to help them gain vigour.
Watering Hyacinths
Keep the plant bulbs moist while they’re growing and flowering, but cut back on the water once the leaves start to fall off on their own.
If you are looking to grow hyacinths indoors, indoor pots with no drainage should not be overwatered because the bulbs will decay. Push your finger into the compost and add water only if it seems dry (rather than moist or damp)
Feeding Hyacinths
Late February is a good time to use a general-purpose fertiliser like Growmore (35g per square metre/1 oz per square yard) in the borders to encourage bulbs to flower well the following season.
From early spring until six weeks after flowering, use a liquid high-potassium feed, such as tomato fertiliser, in pots.
Bulbs planted in water in glass vases don’t need to be fed.
Staking Hyacinths
The flower heads are often so big that they droop over as they grow. Carefully place a pea stick or short cane next to the bulb in the ground and secure the bloom with garden twine. When you go to a garden, you’ll notice that they drive the stake through the prepared bulbs, but this isn’t a good idea if you want to maintain the bulb for another year because it damages it.
Do You Need To Dead Head Hyacinths?
Yes, you need to deadhead hyacinths. When the flowers have faded, cut the flower stalk off at the base.
Hyacinth Questions Answered
Do hyacinths come back every year?
Hyacinths are perennial flowers that will bloom year after year if properly cared for. They are native to Turkey’s hot, dry mountains and thrive in the sun, so find a warm, sunny location to grow them and make sure the soil does not become too wet. Remove the faded flower spike after the bulb has bloomed so that the plant’s energy is not spent in the formation of seed heads. All of the nutrients in the foliage will be returned to the bulb, which is already producing the next season’s bloom. Allow the stems and leaves to naturally die down, only cutting them back when the foliage has become shrivelled and yellow.
What does hyacinth symbolize?
The sun god Apollo’s flower, the hyacinth, is a symbol of peace, dedication, and beauty, as well as power and pride. The hyacinth is a flower that is frequently found in Christian churches as a sign of joy and love.
Are hyacinths indoor or outdoor plants?
Hyacinths make lovely indoor plants in the dark winter months or at the start of spring, and they may be placed outside once they’ve completed flowering.
Is hyacinth poisonous to humans?
Many spring bulbs, such as hyacinths and daffodils, are hazardous to humans and pets if consumed. If consumed, hyacinth bulbs can induce severe gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure, and an erratic heartbeat if mistaken for shallots or onions.
How long do hyacinths last?
Many spring bulbs, such as hyacinths and daffodils, are hazardous to humans and pets if consumed. If consumed, hyacinth bulbs can induce severe gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure, and an erratic heartbeat if mistaken for shallots or onions.
How do I store hyacinth bulbs for next year?
Hyacinths are simple to cure. For three days, set the bulbs on a newspaper in a cool, dark spot. After that, put them in a mesh bag in a cold, dark spot. They’re now ready to be planted in your garden in the fall or brought indoors for the winte
Can you leave hyacinth bulbs in the ground all year?
In most planting zones, hyacinth bulbs can be left in the ground all year. Bulbs should be dug out in the autumn and stored in a cool, dry spot for 6 to 8 weeks if you live in a warm environment where temperatures do not dip below 16°F. For hyacinths to bloom they require a period of chilly weather.
Can you leave hyacinth bulbs in pots?
Hyacinth bulbs will sprout and flourish if they are kept in pots and given the proper growing conditions.
What to do with outdoor hyacinth bulbs after flowering?
If your hyacinths have done flowering, remove the flower spikes to prevent seed production. But leave all the leaves for next year’s bulbs. Move the pot to the sun and water weekly.
What do you do with hyacinth bulbs after they bloom?
After blooming, remove faded flower spikes and let leaves die back. Discard any broken or sick bulbs, then dry and store in paper sacks until the fall.
Does hyacinth like sun or shade?
The plants like well-drained, slightly fertile soil in full sun if they are going to stay in the same place for a few years. For a one-time exhibition, they can withstand partial shade, but subsequent years will be less successful if they are left there.
