Among the beautiful flowers in The Kaleidoscope of Spring display at The Leaf, the stunning hyacinth (Hyacinthus) stands tall with its deep purple petals. Learn more about this globally cultivated, historically rich plant, with a name rooted deep in Greek mythology, and tips on planting them in your garden this spring.

Basics: Hyacinthus is a spring-blooming perennial that grows from bulbs, each producing 4–6 narrow, untoothed leaves and 1–3 spikes of flowers. They typically grow 6–12 inches tall and 3–6 inches wide, and bloom in a variety of colours, including white, blue, purple, pink, and red.

Habitat: Hyacinths are native across a range stretching from the eastern Mediterranean and southern Turkey through to Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkmenistan. They have been widely naturalized across the world, including in parts of Europe, Cyprus, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Historical and Mythological Past: The common hyacinth became enormously popular in the 18th century in the Netherlands, where over 2,000 cultivars were produced. The flower's name comes from Greek mythology: Hyacinthus was a deified hero and Apollo's lover. In one popular version of the myth, Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, was jealous of Hyacinthus's love for Apollo and deliberately deflected a discus mid-throw, causing it to strike Hyacinthus fatally. Apollo, grief-stricken, then created a flower from the fallen youth's blood.

Tips on Planting Hyacinths

  • Keep in mind where you plant them, as all parts of the plant are toxic to people and animals.
  • They have a heady perfume, so planting them near doors and paths lets you appreciate their scent more.
  • They prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soil and full sun.
  • Plant the bulbs in the fall, six to eight weeks before the first hard frost, so they can bloom in spring. In colder regions, a layer of protective mulch is recommended over winter.

Come see our blooming hyacinths and all of our beautiful spring bulbs in our new display, The Kaleidoscope of Spring, on now until June 7.