Hyacinths

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Hyacinths

by Valerie (October 6, 2000)

Two experiments in growing hyacinth bulbs produced different results. After purchasing a hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) bulb at a nursery, it grew admirably that first winter and blossomed the next spring. Ever since, it has produced a little greenery but no more blossoms. Obviously, the blistering hot summers and lack of real freezes are not conducive to growing this particular variety.

Much better luck was had with grape hyacinths (Muscari sp., perhaps armeniacum). We simply bought a box of 40 or 50 bulbs from a local discount retailer and planted them near the rock border of one of our gardens. After remaining dormant through most of the summer and fall, they grow every winter and bloom every spring, with their pretty little round blue blossoms being one of the first signs of color for the new season.