Purdue
University
Consumer Horticulture
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
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Purdue
University
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By Mary Welch-Keesey, Purdue University Consumer Horticulture
Specialist, and Martha Bailey, volunteer, at
White River
Gardens
Hyacinth is a bulbous perennial herb that is cultivated for its fragrant spring flowers. The flower stalk, up to 8 inches long, is closely packed with tubular-bell-shaped, single or double flowers, 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long. Flower color ranges through the pinks and purples but also includes white, peach and yellow. The leaves are bright green and lance-shaped, 6 to 14 inches long.
For indoor display in winter, plant the bulbs with the tips just showing in soil-based potting mix in containers with drainage holes. Keep the bulbs in a dark place at a temperature above freezing but no higher than 45°F for at least 10 weeks to allow the roots to develop and dormancy to dissipate. Keep the soil moist. When the shoots are about 1 inch long, increase the light and temperature gradually. Water carefully, avoiding wetting the shoots or waterlogging the soil mix. After flowering, the forced hyacinths may be planted in the garden, where they will flower in subsequent years.
Outdoors, plant the bulbs 4 inches deep, a minimum of 3 inches apart in autumn. They will grow in any well-drained, moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade.
ALL PARTS OF THE PLANT MAY CAUSE STOMACH UPSET IF THEY ARE EATEN.
Contact with the bulbs may aggravate skin allergies.
Last updated: 6 April, 2006
For questions on this article, please contact Mary Welch-Keesey (mwelch@indyzoo.com).
Questions about this site should be sent to homehort@purdue.edu
The URL for this page is http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/WRG_hyacinth.html