Until not long ago, hyacinths (hyacinthus) formed a separate genus in botany as a member of the hyacinth family. As a result of new classifications, spring bloomers are now only regarded as a subfamily of the asparagus family (asparagaceae).

The hyacinth is just one of the numerous hyacinth plants

Other members of the hyacinth family

There are numerous plant species that are counted among the hyacinth plants. This includes:

  • Bellevalia (Bellevalia)
  • Brimeura (meadow hyacinth)
  • Hyacinthoides (Bluebells)
  • Muscari (pearl or grape hyacinths)
  • Ornithogalum (milk star)
  • Pushkinia (cone flower)
  • Scilla (Squill)

Many of the plants belonging to the hyacinth family are popularly referred to simply as hyacinths.

The best-known species are Scilla and Muscari, which are native to our latitudes and are very common in gardens. But the small spring bloomers also appear on forest margins and field margins.

Only the hyacinth (hyacinthus) is cultivated

Hardly any of the wild species of the hyacinth family is bred like the hyacinth (hyacinthus) and cultivated for house and garden cultivation.

The wild forms develop almost exclusively blue or white-blue flowers. The hyacinth was originally only available in these colors. Varieties in many other colors were only developed through breeding.

This also applies to the scent. The small spring flowers usually only smell lightly, while the scent of the hyacinth is very intense.

Maintain the wild forms of the hyacinth family in the garden

The wild forms of the hyacinth family are relatively easy to keep in the garden. Once planted or sown, they come back every year. The pretty spring flowers do not need much care.

Since they bloom very early, the location is almost irrelevant. The trees are not yet leafy at this point, so the spring flowers get enough light and sun everywhere.

The small representatives of the hyacinth family are therefore very suitable for naturalising in the garden. They cover bare spots in spring and provide the first color in the flower bed.

Warning: risk of poisoning!

All members of the hyacinth family are slightly poisonous. Care should therefore be taken with children and pets when these plants are growing in the garden.

tips and tricks

All hyacinth plants have in common their great use as bee pasture in spring. Especially with the original forms, the flowers are often the first food that insects find outdoors after the winter break.

Category:

Vegetable garden