Hyacinths in Australia: scent, chilling and care

Where hyacinths come from

The common hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis, grows wild in the hills of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and northern Israel, where winters are cool and summers are dry. That rhythm explains what it asks of an Australian gardener: a spell of cold, then warmth, then a quiet dry rest. The Greek legend behind the name tells of a young man, Hyacinthus, whose death gave rise to the flower. Centuries later the Dutch bred many fancy forms, and that is how the bulbs reached gardens worldwide.

What the colours say

Old flower dictionaries give each colour a meaning, and they are fun to borrow for a card.

• Purple: Traditionally sorrow and a plea for forgiveness.
• Pink and red: Playfulness and light-hearted fun.
• White: Loveliness and quiet charm.
• Blue: Steadiness, a good choice for an old friend.

Want to send flowers that smell as good as they look? A hyacinth posy is a lovely pick for late winter.

A bulb in a glass of water

Special hourglass-shaped vases hold the bulb above the water so that only the roots reach down. Park it somewhere cool and dark until the roots fill the glass and a pale shoot appears, then move it into bright light. It is a pleasing project to follow week by week, and children love watching the roots appear.

Looking after a potted hyacinth

• Choose a plant with the buds still closed, and you will have the longest display.
• Water when the surface is dry, pouring at the edge rather than on the bulb.
• Keep it in bright light but out of hot afternoon sun. Cool air makes the flowers last; a warm room speeds them up and shortens the show.
• Keep it away from vents and fans.
• Handle bulbs with gloves, as they can irritate bare skin.

Order a pot or posy to send flowers anywhere in the country, or look at our flower language guide for more ideas.

Cold, then flowers: timing in the garden

• Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart and the highlands: plant in April or May and let winter do the chilling.
• Sydney, Brisbane and Perth: chill the bulbs in the fridge crisper for six to eight weeks first. Keep them away from fruit, because the ethylene it releases can damage the bud inside.
• Tropical north: hyacinths rarely cope outdoors, so treat them as an indoor, one-season plant.

Plant the bulb about three times its own height deep in free-draining soil, in sun or light shade. Flower spikes open from August to October.

Hyacinths as cut flowers

• Cut stems are often sold with a bit of the bulb base attached, so trim above it with a sharp knife.
• Use a clean vase and replace the water every day or two.
• Expect around a week from cut stems, a little less in warm rooms.

Shopping for flowers online is easy, and our care tips will help the bunch last.