Plant Hyacinths
Template:CopyeditbotHyacinths are well-known for their fragrance and are grown in France for use in making perfume. These popular spring flowers can be planted outside in beds or containers, and can also be forced to bloom indoors. This article explains how to plant hyacinths.
Contents
Steps
Planting Hyacinths in Outdoor Beds
- Select a location for your hyacinths where the soil drains well and the bulbs will get full sun.
- Dig holes about 7 to 8 inches (17.78 to 20.32 cm) deep and plant the hyacinth bulbs about 6 inches (15.24 cm) apart. Plant the bulbs with the pointed end pointed up.
- Water the flower bed thoroughly after planting the hyacinth bulbs.
Planting Hyacinths in a Container
- Fill the pot, tub, urn, or other container with a good-quality potting soil. Make sure the container has drainage holes so the soil can drain well.
- Place the container in a location where it will receive full sun.
- Dig holes about 7 to 8 inches (17.78 to 20.32 cm) deep and plant the hyacinth bulbs about 4 inches (10.16 cm) apart. Plant the bulbs with the pointed end pointed up.
- Water the bulbs thoroughly after planting. Be sure the soil drains well so that the bulbs aren't sitting in standing water in the bottom of the container.
- Finished.
Tips
- Hyacinth bulbs should be planted in the fall a few weeks before the weather gets cold enough for the ground to freeze.
- If you find your hyacinth flower bed or container getting too crowded over time, thin out your hyacinth by digging up the bulb(s), split them with a spade and replant the bulb sections.
- Hyacinth bulbs can be "forced" to bloom indoors. For the best results, purchase bulbs grown specifically for indoor forcing and following the instructions on the packaging.
- When purchasing hyacinth bulbs in a store, check them to make sure that they are not dried out or damaged. Generally, bigger bulbs yield bigger blooms.
- Hyacinth bulbs will rot if left to sit in waterlogged soil, so be sure the flower bed or container drains well.
- Do not cut the leaves off of hyacinth plants after they have finished blooming because the leaves will continue to provide nutrients for the bulb. Continue to water the plants as needed. The leaves can be removed in late summer after they have turned yellow and died back.
- Plant hyacinths in small containers outside so you can bring them indoors when they start to bloom. One small hyacinth plant can provide enough fragrance to scent an average-sized room.
- To help produce bigger blooms, add a small amount of bulb fertilizer in the holes when planting hyacinth bulbs. You can also amend the soil with some compost.
- Give your hyacinth bulbs some protection during the winter by covering the flower bed or container with a layer of straw, compost or mulch.
Warnings
- Hyacinth bulbs contain an acid which may cause skin irritation in some people when handling the bulbs. If you have sensitive skin, or start to feel some irritation when handling hyacinth bulbs, be sure to wear gardening gloves.
Things You'll Need
- Hyacinth bulbs
- Trowel
- Tub, urn, pot, or other container (if desired)
- Potting soil (if planting in a container)
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