Hyacinth is one of the most beautiful spring flowers, deservedly popular with both gardeners and indoor gardeners. Thanks to breeders, a huge number of varieties in a wide range of shades have been developed. Each one can become the centerpiece of your spring garden.
Brief description and botanical characteristics
Hyacinth — a bulbous perennial with beautiful inflorescences. This flowering herb belongs to the class Monocotyledons, the Asparagus family, and the genus Hyacinth.
- ✓ The optimal soil temperature for planting hyacinth bulbs should be no lower than +9°C and no higher than +12°C.
- ✓ The planting depth of the bulbs should be three times their height, which ensures resistance to winds and proper development.
Brief description of hyacinth:
- leaves - flat, erect, basal type, venation - parallel;
- renewal buds - bulbs;
- peduncles - erect, continuation of the bulb;
- inflorescences - apical racemes with funnel-shaped perianths;
- fetus — a three-celled capsule with 6 seeds (2 in each cell).
Known species of hyacinths
The genus Hyacinthus once contained about 30 species. The classification was subsequently revised and reorganized. As a result, the genus Hyacinthus was narrowed to three species, and the rest were assigned to another flower genus.
Types of hyacinths:
- Oriental. It is considered the most popular among flower lovers and landscape designers. Four hundred varieties and hybrids have been bred from this hyacinth. This species grows wild in Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. It has a pleasant fragrance, a slender stem, and loose inflorescences—blue, pink, and yellowish-white.
- Litvinova. It has glaucous, spreading leaves, wider than those of the eastern species. It grows up to 25 cm tall, and its flowers are pale blue and deeply dissected. It is native to Iran and Turkmenistan.
- Transcaspian. It has one or two stems up to 20 cm tall. The leaves are fleshy and glabrous, and the flowers are light blue, with 4-10 flowers in each inflorescence. It grows wild in Turkmenistan (Kopet Dag Mountains).
When choosing hyacinths for their garden, every gardener primarily considers their color. We've selected the best hyacinth varieties in pink, purple, white, lilac, violet, yellow, and other shades.
- × Avoid over-watering the soil, as this will cause the bulbs to rot.
- × Avoid planting hyacinths in areas with direct sunlight all day long, as this may cause leaf burn.
Purple and violet hyacinth
Breeders have developed numerous varieties with flowers in shades of violet and purple. They look fresh and elegant, striking against green lawns, and especially beautiful next to white flowers.
Purple Voice
A Dutch variety with striking light violet-purple flowers. The petal edges are paler, and the center of each flower is a rich violet. The inflorescence is dense to moderately dense. The flower stalk is 25 cm tall.
Purple Sensation
This Dutch variety has double flowers, gathered in inflorescences of 30-35. The color is a delicate purple. Each flower is 3.5 cm in diameter. The leaves are linear, smooth, blue-green, gathered in basal rosettes of 9. The raceme is 10-15 cm high and cylindrical in shape.
The flowering period is long—about three weeks. This variety has a pleasant, sweet, and rich aroma. It begins blooming in March and finishes in late April.
Amethyst
A compact variety with lilac-purple flowers. The color is moderately rich. Suitable for pot growing. The plant height is up to 20 cm. The inflorescences are cylindrical. It blooms for one week, in April.
Purple Star
This variety with pearly-purple star-shaped flowers looks very impressive in the garden, easily outshining its competitors. The flower stalks are 25-30 cm tall, and the inflorescences are 15 cm. The leaves are bright green and linear. The inflorescences are dense and strongly fragrant. Flowering occurs in April.
Purple Pride
Another purple variety bred in Holland. It has bell-shaped flowers of a pastel lavender hue with gracefully curved petals. The center of each petal is streaked with bright lilac. This variety is suitable for cutting. The flower stems reach up to 30 cm in height. The fragrance is rich and sweet, and the inflorescences are cylindrical. It blooms in April.
Miss Saigon
This variety has rich purple, almost uniform flowers. The coloring features a deep violet hue. The petals are wide and short, and the inflorescences are dense. The flower stalk is 20 cm tall, and the entire plant is 30 cm. This Dutch-bred variety has a purple-brown flower stalk.
Woodstock
A Dutch variety with vibrant violet-purple blooms. They are matte and extremely elegant. The blooms are 8-16 cm tall. Flowering lasts two weeks. The fragrance is pleasant and rich. The leaves are dense and green, and the flower stalks are 30 cm tall. Flowering occurs in March-April.
Blue and blue hyacinth
Blue and light blue hyacinths look very romantic and elegant in flowerbeds and pots. The deep or soft blue of their blooms pairs harmoniously with white, pink, and yellow varieties.
Blue Sapphire
A luxurious variety that has won the admiration of millions of gardeners. It features deep blue inflorescences and upright, sturdy stems. The flowers are small and bell-shaped. The flower stalks reach 20 cm in height, and the plants reach up to 30 cm. Suitable for both open ground and indoor cultivation, the variety is also suitable for cut flowers.
Blue Jacket
An early-blooming variety with blue-purple star-shaped flowers, 40 per inflorescence. Each flower is 4 cm in diameter. The fragrance is delicate, pleasant, and rich. The petals are lighter at the edges, giving the flowers a striped appearance. Flowering lasts 10-15 days. Suitable for forcing and cut flowers.
Atlantic
An early, large-flowered variety with vibrant lilac-blue flowers. The petals are lighter at the edges than in the center. The flowers are star-shaped, up to 4 cm in diameter. The racemes are cylindrical, with the inflorescences reaching up to 20 cm in height, and the entire plant reaching 30 cm. The fragrance is strong and pleasant. It blooms in April and lasts 2-3 weeks. This variety is suitable for growing in pots.
Deflt Blue
An early variety with delicate and fragrant inflorescences. The star-shaped, matte flowers are a soft blue with a lavender tint. The petal edges are lighter. The diameter of a single flower is 3.5-4 cm. The leaves are green and glossy, and the stem is dense and straight. The plant height is 30 cm, and the inflorescence length is 10-15 cm. Blooms in April-May. Suitable for both flowerbeds and pots.
Maria (Marie)
An old Dutch variety with dark blue matte buds. The inflorescences are compact, cylindrical, and very dense. The flowers are 3-3.5 cm in diameter. The flower stalks reach up to 25 cm in height, and the plant reaches up to 30 cm. The leaves are dense and narrow. Flowering occurs in April-May.
Myosotis
An early variety with sky-blue inflorescences. The petal edges are more intensely colored than the centers. The inflorescences are loose but quite tall—up to 20 cm. Flowering begins in March and lasts about three weeks.
White hyacinth
White hyacinths look especially delicate and romantic. These charming flowers are often used in wedding bouquets, celebration decorations, and garden design.
Carnegie
This is undoubtedly one of the best white hyacinth varieties. It blooms early—in early April—with fragrant white flowers reaching 4 cm in diameter on sturdy stems. The leaves are rich green, the plant grows up to 30 cm tall, and the inflorescences reach up to 20 cm. It grows well both in the ground and in pots.
Aiolos
A Dutch variety with large flowers—up to 4 cm in diameter. The petals are ivory-colored, and the fragrance is richly sweet. The inflorescences are dense and strong, up to 15 cm long. The plant grows up to 25 cm in height. Suitable for forcing and cutting.
White Pearl
An old, proven variety with luxurious white inflorescences. The flower bases are creamy, and the petals are elongated and slightly curled backward. The flowers are 3-4 cm in diameter. The plant height is up to 30 cm. It blooms in April or May. The inflorescences are dense, and the peduncles are green.
L'Innocence
A large-flowered variety with a strong fragrance and dense clusters of white, star-shaped flowers. Each cluster contains 25-30 flowers. The flower stalk is 20 cm tall. Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks. This variety is compact and long-lasting.
Argentina Arendsen (Arentine Arendcen)
An old, medium-sized variety with very large white flowers. A slight creamy tint is present. The inflorescences are loose, cylindrical, about 10 cm tall, each containing up to 40 flowers. The peduncle height is up to 20 cm.
Edelweiss
A mid-early variety with luxurious inflorescences. The petals are snow-white, slightly curved to the sides. The flower stalks reach up to 25 cm in height. The flowers are 3.5 cm in diameter.
Pink hyacinth and red hyacinth
Red hyacinths have a rather unusual appearance; hyacinths are more typically found in "spring" colors—lilac, purple, and white. Therefore, red and pink varieties look quite fresh and unique in flowerbeds and pots. They usually bloom later than blue and white hyacinths, but earlier than yellow and orange ones.
| Name | Plant height (cm) | Flowering period | Aroma |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Victoire | 25 | April | Saturated |
| Pink Pearl | 25 | April | Barely perceptible |
| Anna Maria | 20-25 | April | Saturated |
| China Pink | 20-25 | April | Strong |
| Vurbak | 25 | April | Very strong |
| Jan Bos | 20 | April | Saturated |
| Fondant | 25 | April | Weak |
| Gertrude | 25 | April | Saturated |
| Lady Derby | 25 | April | Weak |
La Victoire
An early-flowering, compact variety reaching approximately 25 cm in height. It features spectacular crimson-red inflorescences, each containing up to 60 flowers, each up to 3 cm in diameter.
Pink Pearl
A mid-early variety with bright pink inflorescences. The flowers are star-shaped, with a pearlescent sheen. A bright, wide stripe runs along the petals. The cone-shaped inflorescences are dense and voluminous, consisting of 35-40 flowers. Flowering lasts for three weeks. The fragrance is pleasant, but subtle. A distinctive feature of this variety is the long bracts, which resemble leaves. The plant height is 25 cm.
Anna Marie
An ancient variety, registered in 1949, but bred even earlier, possibly as early as the late 18th century. This hyacinth has large pink flowers. The petal edges are light pink, with a deep pink stripe in the center of each petal. The plant grows to a height of 20-25 cm. The racemes are dense, and the flower stalks are brown. It is suitable for forcing.
China Pink
This is a mutation of the Delft Blue variety. It has warm, marshmallow-pink flowers. Each petal has a richer stripe in the center, and the petal edges are lighter. The flower stalk is yellowish, and the inflorescences are dense. The plant grows to a height of 20-25 cm, with clusters of 10 cm. The fragrance is strong and persistent.
Vuurbaak
Another old variety, bred in 1948, it has double, bell-shaped, bicolor flowers. The centers are reddish-pink or coral, with soft pink edges. The inflorescences are dense, spherical-cylindrical. The fragrance is very strong and long-lasting.
Jan Bos
This unique variety, bred in 1910, features large, vibrant dark pink flowers. The petals are uniformly colored, wide, and medium-length. The inflorescences are dense, with anthocyanin-colored peduncles. The plant grows up to 20 cm tall.
Fondant
An easy-to-grow variety with pink-pearlescent inflorescences. The flowers are simple, with petals lighter at the edges than in the center—white-pink. A deep pink stripe runs down the center of the petals. The peduncles are brownish.
Gertrude
This variety has medium-dense, dark pink inflorescences, with each cluster containing 25-75 buds (depending on growing conditions). The flower stalks reach up to 25 cm in height, and the inflorescences reach up to 12 cm. It blooms in late April.
Lady Derby (Lady Derby)
A mid-flowering variety bred in the 19th century. It has pink, medium-dense inflorescences consisting of 30-40 flowers. The petals are elongated and narrow, with white-pink edges and raspberry-pink stripes in the center. The peduncle is anthocyanin-tinted.
Hyacinth yellow and peach
Yellow and peach-hued hyacinths are less common than purple, white, and pink ones. However, they look extremely sunny and cheerful in a spring garden.
Yellow Queen
A yellow mutation of the Gypsy Queen (orange) variety. It has strong stems and widely spaced leaves. The inflorescences are a buttery yellow. The petals are slightly recurved. The plant grows to a height of 25 cm, with dense inflorescences up to 5 cm in diameter. It has a strong fragrance.
Gypsy Princess
An early variety bred in Holland. It features large flower stalks and striking creamy-yellow inflorescences. The plant grows up to 30 cm tall, with inflorescences reaching 6 cm in diameter. The petals are slightly recurved. Flowering lasts for two weeks. Suitable for forcing, growing outdoors, and in containers.
City of Haarlem
This variety has creamy, lemon-hued flowers. The inflorescences reach up to 12 cm in length, and the plants reach up to 30 cm. The inflorescences are dense, the peduncles are green, and the petals are wide and ribbed at the ends. The fragrance is rich and pleasant.
Gipsy Queen or Gipsy Queen
An old Dutch variety, one of the best orange hyacinths. It has medium-dense inflorescences and small stems with anthocyanin coloring. The flowers are a soft orange, almost peach-colored, and uniformly colored.
Odysseus
A new Dutch variety with large, creamy-orange flowers. The fragrance is pleasant, the inflorescences are dense, and the stems are strong and short. This variety is used in flowerbeds and garden flower gardens, and the flower looks beautiful against green lawns. It is suitable for outdoor cultivation, forcing, and cut flowers.
Black hyacinth
Perfectly black hyacinths don't exist. Those varieties commonly called "black" are actually purple. Over time, they darken, acquiring a purple-black hue.
Menelik (Menelike)
A mid-early flowering variety with striking black-purple inflorescences. They are dense and compact, composed of flowers up to 3.5 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in late April and lasts for about three weeks.
Ocean Delight
A variety with extremely dark flowers. This "mystical" flower has dark purple, almost black, petals. The flower stalks are brown, with a rich, pleasant fragrance. The inflorescences are dense, cylindrical, 20-22 cm long, with up to 40 flowers per raceme. The plant grows up to 30 cm tall. Flowering occurs in April.
Dark Dimension
This large-flowered, incredibly showy variety boasts dark purple flowers. They are gathered in lush clusters, with lighter petal edges. Blooming is early and profuse. The plant grows to 25 cm tall. The stems are erect and strong. The aroma is strong and pleasant. The inflorescences are cylindrical.
Midnight Mystic
This amazing variety was a true breakthrough in breeding. It was first presented at the Chelsea Flower Show (2005). It looks incredibly luxurious and impressive. The plant grows up to 25 cm tall. When grown indoors, the inflorescences take on a dark purple hue. The flower has a pleasant scent. It blooms in April-May.
Double hyacinths
Double varieties, unlike regular varieties, have flowers with more petals. This gives the inflorescences a denser and fluffier appearance. A wide variety of double hyacinths in a variety of colors and sizes have now been bred.
Eros
This double variety has bright crimson inflorescences. The flowers are unevenly colored. The petals are lighter at the edges, and each has a more saturated crimson-pink stripe in the center. The recurved petals give the inflorescences a textured appearance. The flower stalk is 30-35 cm tall. Flowering occurs from April to early May, lasting two weeks.
Manhattan
A luxurious double variety with large, star-shaped, violet-blue flowers. The inflorescences are dense and cylindrical, with stems reaching 30 cm in height and inflorescences reaching 15 cm. Each flower consists of numerous petals. Dark stripes run down the center of the petals. It blooms in late April to early May, with a flowering period of two weeks.
Edison(Edison)
A variety with white and pink double flowers. Bred in 1956, it is suitable for outdoor cultivation. The maximum plant height is 20-22 cm. The flower diameter is 3-3.5 cm. The inflorescences are loose, cylindrical, and up to 15 cm long.
Snow Crystal
A snow-white double hyacinth with surprisingly voluminous and lush inflorescences. The petals grow in two rows. This hyacinth has a rich, pleasant fragrance. The inflorescence is 15-20 cm high, and the plant is up to 30 cm tall. It blooms in March and early April. It is suitable for forcing indoors and in greenhouses, as well as for creating bouquets. This flower can be given directly in a pot or a clear vase.
Hollyhock(Hyacinthus Hollyhock)
This variety has large, double flowers of a crimson red. The inflorescences are dense, cylindrical, up to 20 cm long, and the plant reaches 35 cm in height. It blooms early, immediately after the snow melts.
Madame Sophie
A double variety with large white flowers. When they open, they have a creamy hue, and when they mature, the pure white dominates. The diameter is 4 cm. The inflorescences are loose or medium-dense. The plant height is up to 20 cm. The flowering period is 2 weeks.
Hyacinth breeding has been going on for centuries. Today, gardeners demand both old varieties developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as new varieties from domestic and foreign breeders. Hyacinths are available in a wide variety of colors at flower markets, as bulbs or in pots.
How beautiful! I didn't even know hyacinths came in such a variety of colors.