Hyacinths are among the best-known and most popular spring flowers in the home and garden. The perennial plants require little care and are absolutely hardy. Interesting facts about the colorful onion plant with its incomparable scent of spring.

The hyacinth can live up to 15 years

Interesting facts about hyacinth

  • Botanical name: Hyacinthus orientalis subsp. orientalis
  • Family: Asparagus family
  • Origin: Central Asia, Balkans
  • Varieties: over 100 varieties
  • Flower shape: up to 40 small, six-petalled, bell-shaped flowers in a raceme on a stem
  • Flower colors: white, pink, yellow, orange, salmon, red, violet, light and dark blue, black
  • Leaves: Glossy green leaves, long, tapering to a point
  • Root form: flower bulb
  • Height: 15 to 30 centimeters
  • Flowering time: March to May
  • Location: sunny garden square, bright flower window
  • Propagation: via bulbs or seeds
  • Hardy: absolutely frost hardy
  • Perennial: Hyacinths in the garden grow up to 15 years
  • Toxins: saponins, calcium oxalate, salicylic acid
  • Special features: strongly fragrant spring bloomer

Cultivate hyacinth in the garden or in the house

In the garden, the hyacinth thrives for several years without much care. In a favorable location, it forms brood bulbs and provides blooming splendor in spring.

Overwintering hyacinths indoors is not easy. The flower is therefore usually only kept for one season and then disposed of. An alternative is to plant them outdoors after flowering.

If the hyacinth is to be brought over the winter indoors, the bulb needs a cold phase, otherwise it will not bloom.

Hyacinths as cut flowers

The hyacinth is also very popular as a cut flower for spring flowers. It is cut when the lower flowers have opened but the upper ones are still closed.

Before they are placed in the vase, the stems must be cut straight with a knife. In order for the hyacinth to last longer as a cut flower, the vase should be kept cool.

Hyacinths look great in a vase with other spring flowers such as crocuses and daffodils.

Floating hyacinths in the glass

Hyacinths can be very decorative in the house in special hyacinth jars. After flowering, they can be planted out in the garden.

tips and tricks

Pearl hyacinths or grape hyacinths (muscari) are also popular spring bloomers from the asparagus family. The very small plants are distantly related to the actual hyacinth.

Category:

Vegetable garden