Graceful grape hyacinths adorn the spring species with sky-blue flower clusters to naturalize in a decorative way. Even the inexperienced gardener's hand elicits the colorful blossoms from a frugal pearl hyacinth every year. Don't miss the pretty flower because there are still open questions about cultivation. You will find the right answer here.

Grape hyacinths are made for spring beds

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant grape hyacinth properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. What is the best planting time?
  7. When is flowering time?
  8. Cut grape hyacinth correctly
  9. Water grape hyacinth
  10. Fertilize grape hyacinth properly
  11. hibernate
  12. Grow grape hyacinth
  13. Is grape hyacinth poisonous?
  14. Pearl hyacinth has faded. What now?
  15. Beautiful varieties

    16. Plant grape hyacinth properly

    As a typical bulb flower, the grape hyacinth would like to be planted in the warmed-up, autumnal soil. Therefore, between August and October, prepare the humus-rich, fresh, moist soil in a fine, crumbly manner at the sun-drenched location. Soil that is too loamy can be optimized in no time at all with a little sand. Proceed as follows:

    • Dig small pits at a distance of 8-10 cm, the depth of which corresponds to three times the height of the onion
    • Put up to 3 bulbs in each planting hole, fill with soil and press down
    • Water with a fine spray so that the substrate is not washed away immediately

    A mulch layer of leaves or compost protects the pearl hyacinth from the rigors of winter in the year of planting.
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    care tips

    The pearl hyacinth reveals its diverse talents when it is given the following care program:

    • Water the bed and pot regularly without causing waterlogging
    • Organic start fertilization with compost in the bed
    • Fertilize liquid in the planter according to the dosage instructions
    • Only cut off wilted flower stalks if self-sowing is not desired
    • Only remove leaves when they are fully retracted

    Apart from the year of planting, no explicit winter protection is required. In the planter, the pearl hyacinth moves to frost-free winter quarters, since the bulb could freeze through in the open air.
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    Which location is suitable?

    The pearl hyacinth feels in good hands in a sunny to partially shaded location. In combination with a loose, humus-rich soil, fresh, moist and preferably slightly sandy, the spring flower happily goes to the desired naturalization. Grape hyacinths look particularly impressive in an open space with a wild perennial character or along the sun-kissed edge of trees.

    The right planting distance

    With the pearl hyacinth you can create floral bands along the path, as a bed border or as a grave border. Arranged into small tuffs, the spring flowers set magical accents in sky blue. In order to arrange these creative flower images harmoniously, we recommend a planting distance of 8 to 10 cm.

    What soil does the plant need?

    In good garden soil, the pearl hyacinth gives its fresh spring guest performance every year. Ideally, the soil is humus, loose and fresh and moist. A slightly sandy portion is advantageous so that the delicate roots can establish themselves quickly. Grape hyacinths thrive in common potting soil in balcony boxes and tubs, enriched with sand for first-class permeability.

    What is the best planting time?

    So that the pearl hyacinth is there on time in the spring bed, plant the bulbs in the ground in autumn. The best planting time, which ends with the first frost, is from August to October.

    When is flowering time?

    If the weather is normal, the pearl hyacinth delights us from March to May with its enchanting spikes of flowers. While winter raged for a long time with frost and snow, the flowers only dared to come out of cover from April onwards, only to flourish well into June.
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    Cut grape hyacinth correctly

    With the help of the targeted pruning at the right time, you direct both the seeding and the vitality of grape hyacinths in the bed and on the balcony. If the desired hosts of blue heralds of spring are already cavorting in the garden, cut off faded blossoms immediately. In this way you prevent seed formation and the pearl hyacinth saves energy. Leave the leaves on the plant until they are fully retracted.

    Water grape hyacinth

    If the natural rainfall does not cover the water requirement, the pearl hyacinth is poured in the bed. Cultivated in a pot or window box,(16.99€) the flowers dry out more quickly. Check the moisture content of the substrate here every 2-3 days. If the surface feels dry, give the plants a sip of water.

    Fertilize grape hyacinth properly

    Annual fertilization with compost and horn shavings (€32.93) rewards the pearl hyacinth with lush flowering and vigorous growth. Only spread the organic fertilizer, because even superficial working in with the rake causes too much unrest and could damage the sensitive roots. For this reason, we recommend a liquid fertilizer for grape hyacinths in pots.

    hibernate

    The pearl hyacinth is sufficiently hardy for our regions. Consequently, no special precautions need to be taken in the bed. Flowers in the planter should preferably be placed in a frost-free winter quarters. Since the bulbs have completely retracted their plant parts above ground, they can be overwintered dry.

    Grow grape hyacinth

    The pearl hyacinth organizes its expansion in the garden on its own by sowing seeds and bulbs. If you as a gardener want to set the course for propagation, use the available daughter bulbs without further ado. Here's how to do it:

    • Raise well-established plants from the ground in late summer or fall
    • Cut off the dead leaves and shake off the soil
    • Using a sharp, disinfected knife, cut off the easily recognizable onions

    At the new location, place the daughter bulbs in loose soil and water them a little. The mother bulb, rejuvenated in this way, resumes its previous position.

    Is grape hyacinth poisonous?

    Grape hyacinths pose a health risk for children if they are curious and put the parts of the plant in their mouths. In the family garden, the pearl hyacinth should therefore be out of the reach of your little pioneers. For pets, especially cats, grape hyacinth proves to be life-threatening due to the highly toxic saponins.
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    Pearl hyacinth has faded. What now?

    Once the charming pearl hyacinth has finished its spring spectacle, horticultural decisions have to be made regarding further activities. If seeding is desired, the sight of wilted flowers should be tolerated until the seed heads have matured and dispersed. Only then cut off the stems. The foliage stays on the plant until it has completely withered. The bulbs themselves remain in the ground as they are fully hardy.

    Beautiful varieties

    • Superstar: Small pearl hyacinth whose white-ringed, cornflower-blue spikes get darker; Growth height 15-20 cm
    • Album: Magnificent variety with pure white flower bells in spiked racemes from March; Growth height 20-30 cm
    • Peppermint: The light blue flowers shimmer subtly as if they were frozen; Growth height 20 cm
    • Weinberg's grape hyacinth: midnight blue flowers from April to May for sunny locations; Growth height 20-25 cm
    • Tufted Grape Hyacinth: Extravagant variety with erect, sterile petals, like a tuft of hair; Growth height 25 cm

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Vegetable garden