Hyacinthus orientalis Hyacinth PFAF Plant Database

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Hyacinthus orientalis - L.

Common Name

Hyacinth

Family

Hyacinthaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

Poisonous, the sap can cause dermatitis[76]. The toxins are concentrated in the bulb[200].

Habitats

Among rocks, up to 2000 metres in Turkey[93]

Range

W. Asia. Naturalized in Europe around the Mediterranean.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Hyacinthus orientalis is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.


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Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
Dye; Essential. An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[61, 171]. 1kg of the oil is obtained from 6,000kg of flowers[46]. A blue dye is obtained from the flowers[168].

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a well-drained sandy soil in full sun[90, 200]. Prefers a moderately rich soil[1]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[214]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[200]. When grown outdoors in Britain the bulb often gradually deteriorates each year due to a lack of summer heat that is required to fully ripen the bulb[1]. Eventually they look more like a bluebell than a hyacinth[K]. Bulbs should be planted out 7cm deep in October[1]. The flowers have a strong sweet fragrance that can fill the air for a considerable distance[245].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in a light sandy soil[1]. If sown thinly, the seedlings can be left in their pots for the first year, though give them regular liquid feeds to make sure that they get sufficient nutrient. Prick out the seedlings about 3 to a pot and grow on for 1 - 2 more years before planting out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. Division in the autumn. Plant the small offsets 5cm deep[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year in a cold frame before planting them out when dormant in late summer. Scooping and scoring.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
5093200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.

An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[90]Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs

Superbly illustrated, it gives brief details on cultivation and native habitat.

[93]Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey.

Not for the casual reader, this is an immense work in many volumes. Some details of plant uses and habitats.

[168]Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants.

A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[171]Hill. A. F. Economic Botany.

Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[214]Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994.

A quarterly magazine, it has articles on Himalayacalamus hookerianus, hardy Euphorbias and an excellent article on Hippophae spp.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Lawler Barnes	Sun Apr 8 2007

Nature Abhors a Garden Hyacinths are the subject for 15 April 2007

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