Hyacinthus orientalis (Pink Hyacinth) – Scented Pre-Planted Winter Flowering Bulbs (5 Plants in a Christmas Bowl)

Pink hyacinths bring rich colour and a classic, sweet fragrance indoors in winter. This Christmas Bowl arrives with 5 Hyacinthus orientalis bulbs already planted and growing together, so there is no potting to do. It makes a thoughtful seasonal gift or a charming display for a windowsill, tabletop or porch.

Each bulb sends up a bold, upright spike of pink flowers from a rosette of bright green, strap-shaped leaves. The bulbs in the bowl are prepared for indoor flowering, so they bloom in winter, earlier than hyacinths grown outdoors.

Place the bowl in a bright spot out of harsh direct sun and keep the compost lightly moist without letting it become waterlogged. Keep it away from radiators and other heat sources: a cool, bright room prolongs the display, while a warm one makes the stems flop and shortens it. The exact shade of pink may vary slightly with the variety supplied.

Hyacinth bulbs can irritate the skin, so gloves are sensible when handling them, and the bulbs should not be eaten. Because these bulbs are forced for indoor flowering, keep the bowl inside until the frosts have passed. After flowering, let the foliage die back naturally, then plant the bulbs in a well-drained border. They are fully hardy in the garden and will flower in spring in later years, though the spikes come looser and smaller than in the first forced year.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Hyacinth, Dutch Hyacinth
• Botanical Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Approx. 20-30cm tall and 8-10cm wide (variety dependent)
• Growth Habit: Upright and compact, with a single flower spike rising from a rosette of strap-like leaves
• Perfect For: Windowsills, tabletops, porches and gifting
• Foliage: Bright green, strap-shaped, upright leaves
• Flowering Time: Winter indoors when prepared bulbs are forced; spring in the garden in later years
• Flower Colour: Pink, fragrant
• Planting Position: Bright light indoors; plant out in the garden after flowering
• Hardiness: Keep indoors while forced; fully hardy in the garden once planted out after flowering
• Maintenance: Keep the compost lightly moist and the bowl cool and bright
• Seasonal Interest: Autumn and winter
• Type: Bulb