How to Water a Flowering Hyacinth

The origin of the hyacinth dates back to ancient Greece. Legend has it that the hyacinth sprung from the mouth of a young man named Hyakinthos upon his untimely death. Upon his passing the god Apollo declared that the flower was to be called "hyacinth" in honor of the young man. Hyacinth blooms are known for their pungent fragrance and a stunning array of colors including blue, purple, orange and red, which adorn their heavy springtime blooms. Caring for a hyacinth does not require much time and can be done by even the novice gardener.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Hyacinth plant
• Organic matter
• Watering can
• Trellis (optional)

1. Plant hyacinth bulbs in the fall, at least two months before the first frost, spaced 18 inches apart with the tip of the bulb pointing skyward in a bed rich in organic matter. Water thoroughly immediately after planting unless you are expecting a heavy rain, in which case watering the bulbs will be unnecessary.
2. Water the hyacinth weekly as soon as you notice the shoots emerging from the ground. You should not saturate the soil; hyacinths will not benefit from over watering and may in fact become rotten.
3. Check on your hyacinth daily after it blooms. Often the blooms become tall (6 to 12 inches) and heavy, so you may have to support them with some type of trellis.
4. Water the flowering hyacinth once weekly to a depth of 1 inch around the base of the stems. Use a watering can for best results; when high pressure is applied with a hose it can cause the flowers to fall off the plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant hyacinths in sandy soil because clay soils compact causing root damage and rot.

• Due to their pungent nature, hyacinth flowers are perfect for making scented candles or essential oils.