Planting Hyacinth Bulbs - instructions

Planting Hyacinth bulbs - instructions

Well-drained soil

Planting hyacinth bulbs should be done where the soil drains well. If puddles of water remain 5-6 hours after a hard rain, find another site. Alternatively, amend the soil by adding organic material to raise the level 2-3 inches, which will improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all do the trick and are widely available.

Plant bulbs pointing upwards

Dig holes and plant the hyacinth bulbs 7-8 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Hyacinth bulbs are round, bigger than a golf ball and have papery skins. Plant them with the pointed ends facing upwards.

After planting, water your hyacinth bulbs well, soaking the area thoroughly. Roots and sprouts will appear in the autumn. Taller growth will begin in winter, and fragrant flowers will form in the spring.

Planting Hyacinth Bulbs: Sun or Shade?

Plant your hyacinths where they will receive uninterrupted sun during the day. Hyacinths are sun lovers.

Hyacinth maintenance instructions

Cutting scented blooms to bring indoors

When in bloom, you can cut hyacinths flowers for small bouquets. This will not damage the plants, and having scented blooms to bring indoors is a great reason to grow hyacinths.

Keep unsightly foilage on

Keep hyacinths watered during dry spells in the autumn. After plants have finished flowering in spring, cut back flower stalks but allow the leaves to die back naturally, screening the unsightly foliage with annual or perennial plantings. The leaves will continue to gather sunlight and provide nourishment for next year's show.

Annual or perennial?

A yearly application of compost should provide enough nutrients for your hyacinths. Flower size may decline in subsequent years, so some gardeners treat hyacinths as annuals and plant fresh bulbs each autumn.

Our hyacinth bulbs, as well as all our other products, are delivered with detailed planting instructions.


Planting Hyacinth bulbs in your garden? Click here to see out collection of Hyacinths!