Hyacinth, Hyacinthus Grown for their dense spikes of highly fragrant, tubular flowers, hyacinths have been popular spring-flowering bulbs for centuries.

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Recommended varieties Growing tips

Problem solver Where to see them

These powerfully scented flowers are some of the first to bloom after winter. They're most effective planted in blocks of a single colour along a path or in containers near the house, where their fragrance can be fully appreciated.

Specially-treated, winter-flowering bulbs are also available for indoor Christmas displays. After flowering, these forced bulbs can be planted outdoors in a sheltered spot.

Hyacinths were originally cultivated in Europe by the ancient Greeks and Romans. They take their name from Hyakinthos, a handsome young man from Greek mythology.

This early hyacinth, H. orientalis, was a simple species valued only for its scent. However, this was enough to ensure that when introduced in 17th-century Holland the bulbs were exorbitantly expensive and only available to the wealthiest flower collectors.

The hyacinth was so popular in the 18th century that more than 2,000 cultivars of H. orientalis were developed, producing plants with large, fragrant flower spikes in shades of red, blue, white, pink and yellow. All hyacinths found in the modern garden are a result of this process.

• H. orientalis 'Anna Marie': pale pink
• H. orientalis 'Amethyst': violet
• H. orientalis 'Carnegie': pure white
• H. orientalis 'City of Haarlem': soft yellow
• H. orientalis 'Delft Blue': soft blue
• H. orientalis 'Gypsy Queen': salmon pink
• H. orientalis 'Jan Bos': red-pink
• H. orientalis 'Ostara': violet-blue
• H. orientalis 'Pink Pearl': deep pink
• H. orientalis 'White Pearl': pure white

Site and soil preferences

Hyacinths perform best in an open, sunny or partially shaded position with fertile, well-draining soil.

Planting

When selecting bulbs, make sure they're not damaged or drying out.

Plant bulbs in the autumn before the ground freezes, in order to ensure proper root development. Place them 15cm to 20cm (6in to 8in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart.

To encourage bigger blooms, spread a small amount of bulb fertiliser in the hole during planting.

Aftercare

After blooming, it's important to allow the plants to continue growing until the leaves die off, as the leaves send energy to the bulbs for next year's growth.

Forced bulbs

For winter flowers, force bulbs by potting them in early autumn, then keep cool and damp for several weeks to ensure they develop an adequate root system.

When shoot tips appear, move the bulbs into a temperature of 10°C (50°F). Move them to a warmer environment as more shoots appear, giving them as much light as possible.

After forcing, keep in a cool place to finish growth.

Propagation

Hyacinths can be propagated by planting up bulb offsets in late summer or early autumn.

Like all bulbs, hyacinths are prone to rot if poorly stored. Store and plant only healthy bulbs, and avoid damaging them. Store in suitable conditions and remove immediately any that show signs of deterioration.

All parts of the hyacinth can cause stomach upset if eaten. Contact with the bulbs may aggravate skin allergies.

National Collections of hyacinths:

A K Shipp
9 Rosemary Road
Waterbeach, Cambridge
Cambridgeshire CB25 9NB
Tel: 01223 571064

In 2006, Gardeners' World visited the National Collection of hyacinths at Waterbeach:

Sir Thomas C W Ingilby Bt
Ripley Castle, Harrogate
North Yorkshire HG3 3AY
Tel: 01423 770152
Website: www.ripleycastle.co.uk