Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth) – Fragrant White Indoor Winter Bulbs (3 Plants in a Christmas Trough)

Hyacinths give some of the richest scent of any winter bulb, and this Christmas trough arrives with 3 white hyacinths already planted and growing together, ready to display. The classic white flower spikes and sweet fragrance suit a windowsill, tabletop or centrepiece, and with no planting to do it makes an easy gift for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Each hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) sends up a single sturdy stem packed with white flowers above bright green, strap-like leaves. These are prepared bulbs, so they flower indoors in winter, earlier than they would in the garden.

Keep the trough in a cool, well-lit spot (8 to 15°C) at first to encourage steady, strong growth. Once shoots appear, move it to a warmer room of up to 20°C to bring on the blooms. Avoid harsh direct sun, which makes the flowers fade early, and a very warm room, which makes the stems flop and shortens the display.

Water sparingly around the base of the bulbs, keeping the compost just moist and never waterlogged, and do not let water sit in the crown of the bulb, as this can cause rot. The decorative trough style may vary slightly.

Hyacinth bulbs can irritate the skin and should not be eaten, so wear gloves when handling them. They are poisonous to pets as well as people.

After flowering, let the foliage die back naturally. The bulbs can then be planted outdoors once the frosts have passed, where they are fully hardy and will flower in spring in later years, though the spikes will be looser and smaller than in the first forced year.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Hyacinth, Dutch Hyacinth, Garden Hyacinth
• Botanical Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
• Eventually Reaches: 15-30cm tall and 10-20cm wide
• Growth Habit: Upright, single sturdy stem with a dense flower spike
• Perfect For: Windowsills, tabletops, centrepieces and gifting
• Foliage: Bright green, strap-like leaves
• Flowering Time: Late winter to early spring, earlier when forced indoors
• Flower Colour: White
• Fragrance: Richly and sweetly scented
• Planting Position: Bright light indoors; full sun to partial shade if planted out after flowering
• Hardiness: The bulb is hardy in the garden, but keep the forced bulbs indoors until the frosts have passed
• Seasonal Interest: Winter and spring
• Type: Ready planted bulbs