LARGE HYACINTH BULBS CAN PRODUCE 60-70 FLORETS

The hyacinth bulbs are very popular for many reasons.This includes the wide variety of flower colors,the marvelous scent that is well regarded by avid gardeners,and the plants are easily brought to flower. They do require a well drained soil. This is another one of those bulbs that,if planted in a heavy soil,may need some sand mixed in with the soil. They do need a sunny spot to grow but some people treat them as annuals,I know not why,and then the bulb can be planted in an area that receives some shade. I guess,treated as annual,is done to maintain a high quality bloom if you are into that sort of thing. I frankly try not to create extra work when there is plenty of other chores that must be completed in the fall.

The recommended size for your garden planting of hyacinth bulbs are sizes 15-16 and 16-17. There are giant bulbs as I mentioned in the headline that produce immense amount of florets in the head of the flower. These do have the tendency to collapse from the weight of the floret. A number of people use them to force bulbs for indoor use. If you were to subscribe to my newsletter you would discover in the next issue,and probably by the time this is uploaded the backissue,an article all about bulb forcing. I would personally leave them in the ground,in the smaller size,for as long as they return in the spring. I have not found,as some have reported,that the flower clusters are smaller in exceeding years. It is necessary to allow the hyacinth bulbs to completely die back before removing the foilage. A premature removal of the foilage could result in little or no flowering the next season. The bulb is acquiring its strength for the next season from the green foilage.

HYACINTH BULBS ARE GREAT SPRING FLOWERS BECAUSE OF THE BLOOMING TIME

Hyacinth bulbs can remain very attractive in the garden for two to three weeks. This provides for a lot of show time. I would not plant them in rows simply because they are more attractive in clumps. However here is an idea I came across a few years ago. Select a pink,blue,and,white bulb and plant them in a circle with several of each color and in the spring you will be pleasantly surprised by a bouquet of flowers. Of course,there are available a wide variety of colors so you may choose from many other colors.

TYPE: The following are commonly used in small groups of three to five bulbs: Deep blue: 'Atlantic': blue 'Blue Jacket': deep blue 'Delft Blue': blue 'Ostara': deep violet-blue

Mauve-violet: 'Amethyst': lilac-blue 'Anna Liza': blue 'Splendid Cornelia': blue

Red: 'Amsterdam': deep carmine red 'Hollyhock' deep red double flowers 'Jan Bos': carmine red

Pink: 'Anna Marie': bright pink 'Fondant': pink 'Lady Derby': salmon pink 'Marconi': deep pink 'Pink Pearl': brilliant bright pink

Yellow: 'City of Haarlem': bright yellow

Orange: 'Gypsy Queen': salmon orange

White: 'Carnegie': pure white 'L'Innocence': pure white 'White Pearl': pure white

The shapes and colors of all these hyacinth bulbs are very beautiful. The outstanding ones here are definitely the doubled-flower Hollyhock,the yellow city of harrlem,the pure white carnegie,and the salmon-orange gypsy queen. Three of these are pictured below:

There are several hyacinth bulbs that are considered rather important among the cultivars. This being the Hyacinthus multifora and the Hyacinthus Amethystinus. The muiltiflora bulb,however,has received special attention so that they will produce not just a single flower cluster to a bulb but at least two. Each of these stalks produces fewer florets, but the plant is quite attractive. The Amethystinus has the following characteristics:

Flower colour: pale blue or white Flowering period: May-June Average plant height: 20 cm Planting depth to base of bulb: 10 cm Spacing between bulbs: 10 cm Landscape uses: beds and borders, for perennialising

This plant is similar to bluebells and produces around 20 tube-shaped flowers hanging from one stalk.

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