Hyacinthus orientalis

Hyacinthus orientalis are spring flowering bulbous perennials that produce the most wonderful fragrance. Hyacinthus have erect narrow glossy green strap like foliage and a central flower spike which is a mass of tubular style flowers all along the stem.

As I live in a warm, temperate location with no frosts, during the winter months I keep the bulbs in the fridge for two months prior to planting to stimulate the chilling period.

Flower spike 12 cm

This is a cultivar, the natural form in the wild is taller and the flowers are more widely spaced on the spike.

comments (3)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

You're quite the gardener (botanist?), Ruth! Posted 4 years ago
1. Ruth Spigelman
  
  Lion
  
  I am indeed. Inherited, learned from my father who himself wished to be a botanist in a professional capacity, but life's circumstances got in the way - but he reached great heights in an amateur but highly passionate capacity. It seemed to me he could grow just about anything, somehow even temperate plants in a British garden. I helped him build several greenhouses. I think of him often when out in the garden and wish he could see the things I'm up to. I had a happy/sad moment when putting these hyacinth bulbs in the fridge; when I was a child, Mum had to give a whole shelf in the fridge over to Dad's botanical specimens and my brother and I learned early on, not to mess with them, and more importantly that they were NOT for eating ha ha. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    What a beautiful relation and memories of your father. It looks like he lives on, in part, in you.
    
    Further, it's only justice to give a man his shelf, as us men are outspaced anywhere else in the house. Luckily, my shelf space is so uninviting (dead bugs) that it's easily given up. Posted 4 years ago

The Common hyacinth

"Hyacinthus orientalis", is a perennial flowering plant, native to southwestern Asia, southern and central Turkey, northwestern Syria, Lebanon and northern Israel. It was introduced to Europe in the 16th century.

Info 14 0

Similar species: Agaves, Aloes, Onions

Species identified by Ruth Spigelman