Year of the Hyacinth

Hyacinths are spring-flowering bulbs that are treasured by gardeners for their heavenly fragrance.

Hyacinths are spring-flowering bulbs treasured for their heavenly fragrance. Hyacinth flowers bloom in mid-spring alongside daffodils and early tulips, in rich shades of blue, purple, pink, burgundy, white, peach and pale yellow. Here’s how to plant and grow hyacinths in the garden and force them indoors.

Hyacinth History and Origins

Flower lovers began cultivating hyacinths more than 400 years ago. During the 18th century, they were the most popular spring bulbs in the world, and Dutch growers offered more than 2000 named cultivars. Today, there are less than 50 cultivars in commercial production, but the hyacinth’s beauty and sweet perfume are as enchanting as ever.

Commonly called Dutch hyacinths or garden hyacinths, they are hybrids of a single species (Hyacinthus orientalis) that grows wild in Turkey, Syria, and other areas in the eastern Mediterranean.

Hyacinth Flower Types, Colors and Varieties

Today’s garden hyacinths look very different from the wild species. After centuries of breeding, they have taller flower spikes and much larger, mostly double florets that are tightly packed along the stem. Each hyacinth bulb produces a single 8 to 12″ tall flower stalk and 4 to 6 strappy leaves. Hyacinth flowers open in mid-spring, at the same time as daffodils and early tulips.

Hyacinth flowers come in rich, saturated colors. The most popular cultivars are shades of purple and blue, which include Blue Jacket (royal blue), Delft Blue (cerulean), and Aida (violet-blue). Other colors are equally lovely and suggest lots of creative pairings. These include Woodstock (burgundy), Jan Bos (hot pink), Aiolos (white), Gypsy Queen (peach), and City of Haarlem (pale yellow).

Hyacinth is in the same family as asparagus - year of the hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

Most hyacinth bulbs are grown commercially in the Netherlands - Year of the Hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

Colors range from deep indigo to bright magenta, light pinks, purples & white - Year of the Hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

Hyacinth is a perennial that flowers in spring on stalks about 10" tall - Year of the Hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

How to Plant and Grow Hyacinths in the Garden

When and How Deep to Plant Hyacinth Bulbs

Hyacinth bulbs are planted in mid to late fall, at the same time as tulips and daffodils. Choose a planting location with well-drained soil that never gets soggy. Full sun is best, though hyacinths will also grow in light shade. Plant the bulbs in groups of 5 or more, spaced about 5″ apart on center, and buried 4 to 5″ deep. In hardiness zones 6 and warmer, hyacinths grow well in outdoor containers, on their own, or mixed with other spring bulbs. Consider planting extra hyacinth bulbs to cut and enjoy indoors.

Do Hyacinths Come Back Every Year?

Like tulips, hyacinths always look their best the first spring after planting. For this reason, most gardeners plant fresh bulbs every year or two. While the bulbs will usually rebloom for several years, they will gradually revert to the original species, with single florets that are widely spaced along the stem.

Hyacinth Care After Blooming

To help the bulbs save energy for future flowers, cut off the flower stalks after the blossoms fade and allow the foliage to grow until it dies back in early summer.

How to Force Hyacinths Indoors

Growing hyacinths indoors lets you get a jump on spring, with fragrant blooms that last for weeks. Plant the bulbs in late fall. Use pots that have drainage holes on the bottom and are approximately 6″ deep. Fill them with moist growing mix (not garden soil) and plant the bulbs 2″ apart with the top of the bulb about 1″ below the soil surface. Water lightly.

To bloom properly, potted hyacinth bulbs must be exposed to consistently cold temperatures (40-45°F) for a minimum of 10 weeks. An unheated garage can work as long as the bulbs do not freeze. A refrigerator is another option if it doesn’t contain ripening fruit, which can damage the bulbs. After this chilling period, move the pots to a sunny window and enjoy watching them come into flower.

The juice from hyacinth bulbs can be used like glue; it was once used as a book binding - - Year of the Hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

Hyacinths can be grown for cut flowers and can last up to two weeks - Year of the Hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

The purple variety symbolizes regret and sorrow while the white means love and prayer- Year of the Hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

In Greek mythology, the hyacinth symbolizes constancy and sincerity - Year of the Hyacinth - National Garden Bureau

Hyacinth Growing Tips:

Plant hyacinth bulbs where it will be easy to enjoy their fragrance: near a doorway, along a garden path, or at the front edge of a flower border.
Hyacinth bulbs can cause mild skin irritation. Wear gloves when planting them or wash your hands after handling them.
Hyacinth bulbs contain oxalic acid, which makes them unappealing to chipmunks and voles as well as deer.
Hyacinths are long-lasting cut flowers (up to two weeks in a vase) that will perfume an entire room. Plant some bulbs in your vegetable garden so you can cut and share the blooms.
Hyacinths flower in early to mid-spring at the same time as emperor and double early tulips, mid-season daffodils, chionodoxa, scilla and muscari.
Encourage hyacinths to bloom for more than one year by cutting off the flower spikes as soon as the flowers fade.

Hyacinth FAQs

Plant hyacinth bulbs in mid to late fall, at the same time as tulips and daffodils. They bloom the following spring.

Plant hyacinth bulbs 4 to 5 inches deep and about 5 inches apart, in groups of 5 or more. Choose a spot with well-drained soil that never gets soggy.

Hyacinths usually rebloom for several years, but they look best the first spring. Over time, the flowers become looser with fewer florets, so many gardeners plant fresh bulbs every year or two. To help them rebloom, cut off flower stalks as soon as they fade and let the leaves die back naturally.

In late fall, plant bulbs in 6-inch-deep pots with drainage holes, 2 inches apart, with the tips about 1 inch below the soil. Keep them at 40–45°F for at least 10 weeks; an unheated garage or a refrigerator without ripening fruit works. Then move the pots to a sunny window to bloom.

Full sun is best, but hyacinths also grow in light shade.

Yes. Hyacinth bulbs contain oxalic acid, which makes them unappealing to deer, chipmunks and voles.

Hyacinth bulbs can cause mild skin irritation, so wear gloves when planting or wash your hands after handling them.

Plant them near a doorway, along a garden path, or at the front of a flower border. In zones 6 and warmer, they also grow well in outdoor containers.

Learn more about the Year of the Hyacinth from our NGB members…

Hyacinths: A Treat for the Senses by American Meadows
Wish You Were Here – Hyacinths in Lisse by Breck’s
Learn about Hyacinth by Burpee
How To Care For Hyacinth Indoor by DutchGrown
Are Hyacinths Annuals Or Perennials by DutchGrown
Hyacinth Pictures by National Garden Bureau
Small Space, Big Blooms: How to Grow Spring Bulbs in Containers by National Garden Bureau
Savor a Scent-sational Garden with Fragrant Plants by National Garden Bureau
Fall is for Planting Bulbs by National Garden Bureau

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The National Garden Bureau recognizes and thanks Longfield Gardens, as the author and contributor to this fact sheet on the Year of the Hyacinth.

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