Wild Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) is a spring bulb grown in U.S. gardens for its dense clusters of colorful, strongly fragrant flowers. In the United States, it is usually called common or garden hyacinth; the name wild hyacinth more often refers to the native wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides).
Appearance
- Growth form
- This sends up a compact clump of leaves and usually one sturdy flower spike.
- Leaves
- Four to six smooth, fleshy, strap-shaped leaves rise from the base.
- Flowers
- A thick spike carries 15–40 waxy, six-parted flowers with a strong sweet scent. come in blue, purple, pink, red, yellow, orange, and white.
- Flowering time
- In much of the United States it flowers for about two to three weeks in April or May. Forced indoor bulbs can bloom in winter.
- Fruit
- After flowering, a round capsule dries and splits into three sections that contain seeds.
Look-alikes
Wild Hyacinth can reach about 2 ft (60 cm) and has a loose stalk of pale blue, starry flowers. Common hyacinth is only about 8–12 in (20–30 cm) tall and packs waxy flowers into a short, dense cylinder.
Why they get mixed upThey share the name Wild Hyacinth and both have blue spring flowers arising from bulbs.
Garden Grape-hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is about 4–8 in (10–20 cm) tall and bears tiny urn-shaped flowers like an upside-down bunch of grapes. Common hyacinth is larger, with open, six-parted flowers and a much stronger scent.
Why they get mixed upBoth are spring bulbs with blue flower spikes and hyacinth in the common name.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- garden beds
- containers
- indoor forcing pots
- Range
- It is native from southern Türkiye to northern Israel. In the United States it is cultivated rather than native and is hardy outdoors in USDA zones 4–8.
- Preferred conditions
- Plant it in sun to partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. The bulb needs a cool period before spring growth.
- Flowering
Flowers Apr–May
Flowers Apr–May
Growing it
- Care
- Let the leaves remain after flowering until they yellow, because they recharge the bulb. Poor drainage can rot the bulb.
- Propagation
- Garden plants are commonly multiplied by separating bulb offsets.
- Toxicity
- All parts can be harmful if eaten in quantity, and the bulb contains the most toxin. Sap may also irritate skin, so gloves are useful when planting.
Name and classification
- About the name
- It is also called Dutch hyacinth.
- Varieties and forms
- Many garden cultivars differ in flower color and density.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
8 sources
- iNaturalist taxon API: Hyacinthus orientalis
- Hyacinthus orientalis | Plants of the World Online
- Hyacinthus orientalis | NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- 산림청 국가표준재배식물목록: 히아신스
- Hokkaido University: Hyacinthus orientalis
- 国立環境研究所: 俳句における環境植物の調査報告
- Iowa State Extension: Grape Hyacinths
- Missouri Department of Conservation: Wild Hyacinth