Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth) – Fragrant Prepared Bulbs for Winter Flowering (3 Plants in a Christmas Trough)

Blue hyacinths bring one of the sweetest scents of the season into the house, and this Christmas trough arrives with three of them already planted and growing together, ready to display.

Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are known for dense, upright flower spikes in rich blue above broad, strap-like green leaves. These are prepared bulbs, flowering indoors ahead of their natural season, which makes them a popular choice for windowsills, mantlepieces and Christmas gifts.

The three plants are growing in the trough and arrive in it, so there is no planting or preparation to do. Keep them in a cool, bright spot away from direct harsh sunlight, draughts and heat sources, as a warm room makes the stems flop and shortens the display. Keep the compost lightly moist without letting it get waterlogged, and turn the trough now and then so the spikes grow evenly upright.

Once flowering has finished, the bulbs can be planted out in the garden after the frosts have passed. They are fully hardy outdoors and will flower again in spring in later years, though the spikes come looser and smaller than in the forced first year.

Hyacinth bulbs can irritate the skin of people and pets and should not be eaten, so gloves are sensible when handling them.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Hyacinth, Dutch Hyacinth
• Botanical Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
• Growth Habit: Upright, with a dense, columnar flower spike
• Perfect For: Indoor displays, windowsills, mantlepieces, Christmas gifts
• Foliage: Broad, strap-like, deep green leaves
• Flowering Time: Indoors in winter, naturally late winter to mid-spring (January to April, depending on conditions)
• Flower Colour: Blue
• Planting Position: Bright, indirect light indoors; avoid direct harsh sunlight and draughts
• Hardiness: Hardy bulb in the garden, but a prepared bulb flowering indoors should be kept inside until the frosts have passed
• Fragrance: Richly scented
• Seasonal Interest: Winter and spring, Christmas display
• Type: Prepared flowering bulbs