This month’s Houseplant of the Month is the hyacinth. It’s such a popular plant to have in your home during the winter months, adding a wonderful scent and pop of colour! There are usually thirty or more bell-shaped florets on each flower stalk. And writing about them today reminds me of when I was studying floristry and we learnt how to wire the florets individually to make floral jewellery and napkin rings…
There are lots of different varieties of hyacinths available, with colours ranging from white, yellow, pink and red to peach, blue and violet. Also often referred to as Hyacinthus orientalis, hyacinths belong to the lily family. They’re usually grown in compost, but have you heard of specially designed hyacinth vases, which enable you to grow them simply with water?
Care-wise, place your hyacinths in a cool well-lit area and keep the compost moist. If the flowers become top-heavy, you may like to support them with twigs. Also, if they start leaning towards the light, turn them now and again.
You’ll often find hyacinth bulbs potted up in lovely containers and beautifully decorated in your local florist shop. So, why not buy them as a gift for a friend or, of course, a treat for yourself!
P.S. If you love hyacinths, you may like to visit The Joy of Plants website.
P.P.S. If you’re a florist and would like more information, simply visit The Flower Council of Holland website.
* This post is brought to you in collaboration with The Flower Council of Holland. All the words are my own.
(Images : The Flower Council of Holland)
I can remember having to pip hyacinths to make hair circlets & wired bouquets,a horribly fiddly job( worse that wiring stephanotis!)Sadly now the scent gives me terrible hay fever!