Anyone who loves beautiful things will adore a garden of Hyacinths. From ancient Greek lore to French royalty, these gorgeous blooms have been a favourite throughout history. Hyacinths originate from the eastern Mediterranean, West and Central Asia but are grown and adored all over the world. In South Africa, the most commonly seen hyacinths stem from plants cultivated in the Netherlands during the 18th century and are blue, pink or white.
Fragrant and striking, hyacinths were a favourite of Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France. She had hundreds of hyacinths delivered to the palace daily to be placed in vases and used in her perfumes. The flowers have a strong, sweet scent that fills the garden or home with a heady aroma. Plant the bulbs between April and May for a vibrant winter garden that welcomes the spring. The bulb’s colouring will indicate the colour of the flower, allowing you to plan splendid displays of colour. Plant the same coloured bulbs together for impressive flower beds.
How to grow your own Hyacinth
Hyacinths are a beautiful addition to any garden. Whether they are adorning the flower beds or blooming in pots, hyacinths look gorgeous inside and out. These fragrant flowers are uncomplicated and relatively simple to grow if you place them correctly. Hyacinths prefer cooler temperatures and are thus best suited to a cool spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Similarly, bulbs grown in containers should be kept in a shaded spot outdoors for the cold to encourage root growth
The best time to plant hyacinths is late autumn to early winter for a colourful display from July to September. Bulbs should be planted in a well-draining soil mixed with some compost. The ideal soil is equal parts clay, sand and organic matter. Give your bulbs extra care by adding a 3cm layer of mulch over the soil. This will keep the soil at a constant temperature and retain moisture. Once planted, hyacinth bulbs require generous, regular watering every three to four days. When potted hyacinths are in bloom they can be moved indoors. Their rich colour and lovely fragrance will instantly brighten up your home. Hyacinths kept indoors should be placed outside at night as the colder temperature makes the flowers last longer. Feed them every two weeks with Hadeco Bulb Food for the best results.
Article published courtesy of Hadeco Bulbs