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Hyacinth Sweetheart

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Breathe life into your garden this spring with the irresistible charm of Hyacinth Sweetheart (Hyacinthus orientalis). Bursting with fragrant blooms in dreamy colours of burgundy, blush pink, and creamy white, these flowers create a romantic display that no garden should be without. Glossy, strap-shaped leaves frame each floral spike, adding elegance and texture. Perfect for sunny or partially shaded spots, these low-maintenance beauties thrive effortlessly in cool to arid climates, bringing stunning colour and intoxicating fragrance to borders, patios, containers, or even vases indoors. With their timeless appeal and effortless care, Hyacinth Sweetheart is the perfect choice for gardeners who want to turn every corner of their space into a fragrant, springtime retreat.

Description

Hyacinth Sweetheart
Hyacinth Sweetheart, a striking bulbous perennial from the Asparagaceae family, is native to the eastern Mediterranean and modern-day Turkey. It enchants with fragrant blooms in a gradient of burgundy, blush pink, and creamy white. These elegant, densely packed flowers are framed by glossy, strap-shaped leaves. Cultivated for centuries, Perfect for gardens, patios, or pots, Hyacinth Sweetheart adds grace and colour to spring displays.

Versatile Garden Uses

Hyacinths complement many garden styles with their stunning blooms and fragrance:
Garden Beds & Borders: Add purity to spring displays.
Pots & Containers: Ideal for patios or small spaces.
Indoor Displays & Vases: Grow them in pots or as forcing bulbs for lasting beauty.

Hyacinths add timeless elegance and captivating charm from Mediterranean-inspired spaces to cottage gardens. Perfect for lining pathways, brightening shaded corners, or as an indoor centrepiece, it transforms every setting.

Climate and Growing Conditions

Thriving in cool to arid climates, Hyacinths benefit from cold dormancy for vibrant blooms. They flourish in sunny to partially shaded spots and well-draining soil, needing consistent moisture during their growth phase. While they prefer brighter locations, avoiding heavy shade ensures their stems grow strong and blooms reach their full potential. In subtropical regions, they may be treated as annuals where dormancy is harder to replicate.

When to Plant

Plant bulbs in autumn, starting in March, to allow roots to establish before winter. Pre-chilled bulbs are ready for planting. If planting late, store them in the fridge for at least 6 weeks, away from ethylene-producing fruits, to maintain dormancy. This is crucial in warmer regions to ensure vibrant blooms and a stunning spring display.

Planting Guide

  • Soil Preparation: Loosen soil to a depth of 15–20 cm and enrich with compost for improved drainage and nutrients. Use high-quality potting mix for containers.
  • Location: Choose sunny spots or partial shade, ensuring at least 6 hours of sunlight.
  • Depth & Spacing: Plant bulbs 12 cm deep and 10–15 cm apart in garden beds. In pots, place them slightly closer for denser displays. Odd-number groupings create visually balanced arrangements.
  • Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and maintain moderate soil moisture during growth, avoiding overwatering.
  • Fertiliser: Incorporate blood and bone or a complete fertiliser to support robust blooms.
  • Mulch: Apply mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. While frost-tolerant once established, potted bulbs may need frost protection.

Aftercare for Hyacinths

Caring for Hyacinths ensures their longevity and beauty:

  • Watering & Feeding: Reduce watering as foliage begins to die back and apply a slow-release fertiliser before the leaves fully wither. Stop watering once dormancy begins.
  • Foliage: Allow leaves to die back naturally, storing energy for the next season.
  • Spent Flowers: Remove faded flower stalks to redirect energy to the bulb.
  • Storage: In wet, warm, or non-frost climates, lift and store bulbs in a cool, dry place to prevent rot and ensure dormancy for future blooms. They can be naturalised in cool climates where they experience frosts.

Division

Hyacinths are best replaced every couple of years, as their blooms tend to diminish in size and vibrancy over time.

Pests and Diseases

Hyacinths are hardy but may encounter occasional challenges:

  • Slugs and Snails: Use barriers or hand-pick to prevent leaf damage.
  • Grey Mould/Basal Rot: Ensure proper air circulation and avoid waterlogged soil.
  • Aphids: Treat with insecticidal soap or attract natural predators like ladybirds.

Caution: Harmful if Eaten / A Skin and Eye Irritant

Hyacinth bulbs contain toxic compounds that may irritate the skin, even for those without sensitivities. Always wear gloves when handling bulbs and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Keep bulbs out of reach of children and pets, as ingestion may result in illness. Seek medical advice if ingestion occurs or irritation persists.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

D – Purple Pack

Botanical Name

Hyacinthus orientalis

Quantity in Pack

5 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards

Growing Height

20-25 cm

Planting Depth

12 cm

Soil

Prepare the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm by enriching it with compost and incorporating well-rotted manure, blood and bone, or a complete fertiliser. They thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich organic soil.

How to Plant

After preparing the soil, plant bulbs in a sunny to partially shaded spot, ensuring they are not placed in heavily shaded areas. In warmer climates with intense heat, gradually acclimate potted hyacinths to full sun to encourage tall, sturdy stems. Early exposure to excessive heat or light can result in weak, stunted growth and short flower spikes. Transitioning them slowly helps the plants adapt to their environment, ensuring stronger stems and fuller blooms. Plant bulbs 12 cm deep and space them 10-15 cm apart in garden beds. For pots and containers, bulbs can be planted slightly closer, ensuring they do not touch. Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and support early root development, creating ideal conditions for vibrant flowering.

Watering

Once the bulbs have settled in, water only when leaves begin to emerge. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing period to support healthy development, but avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot. As the leaves show signs of fading, gradually reduce watering and stop completely once the foliage has fully died back.

Fertilise

Enrich the soil with blood and bone or a complete fertiliser before planting the bulbs. After the blooms have finished and the foliage begins to yellow, apply a slow-release fertiliser, ensuring it’s added before the foliage completely dies back.

Pruning

Hyacinths don’t require traditional pruning but benefit from a few maintenance steps to keep them healthy. Once the blooms fade, remove spent flowers to prevent energy being directed into seed production, allowing the bulb to store nutrients for the next season. Leave the foliage intact until it turns yellow and withers naturally, as this helps the bulb replenish its energy. Avoid cutting green leaves, as this can weaken the bulb and reduce future flowering potential.

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