After the hyacinth has bloomed, here's what you should do with the bulbs:
Popcorn Hyacinth Memories and Spring's Beautiful Bloom
Reminiscing about my elementary school days, one art project stands out - making popcorn hyacinths. We'd shake popped corn in a bag with paint, create leaves from construction paper, and glue these vibrant popcorn blooms onto our landscapes. These colorful creations lasted for what seemed like forever!
Fast forward to today, I find the actual hyacinths blooming in spring to be just as enchanting. They might not stick around for months, like my childhood art, but their scent and beauty certainly linger.
Life cycle of Hyacinth Bulbs
Hyacinth bulbs have a fascinating life story. Originating from an officer bulblet, they store up energy through a chilling period, eventually growing roots and blooming when planted either in the garden or a container.
With warmer temperatures, the bulb uses its stored starch to produce leaves and flowers. Depending on your hardiness zone, hyacinths usually bloom late March or April.
While in bloom, nourishment comes from the roots, as all energy is channeled towards the flower and foliage. After blooming and wilting, the leaves should remain undisturbed until they naturally wither and die.
Reviving the Hyacinth
To ensure another round of blooms, hyacinth bulbs must go through a chilling period of six to eight weeks at 35-48°F. In areas with harsh winters, the bulbs can be left in the ground, however, flower size may decline as the bulbs multiply.
Post-Bloom Garden Care
Once the flowers fade, snip off the flower spikes using sharp garden snips. However, the foliage should remain undisturbed until it turns yellow and withers naturally. This allows the leaves to collect energy needed for the next year's bloom.
After six weeks or so, the foliage can be trimmed away. You can choose to leave the bulbs in the ground if the soil is well-draining, or dig them up for storage or disposal.
Container Care
Southern garden enthusiasts often plant pre-chilled bulbs in containers for an early spring display. Post-bloom, remove the flower spike and leave the foliage till it withers naturally. Afterwards, trim off the foliage.
Most Southerners then remove the bulbs from the containers and let the soil dry out before gently lifting the bulbs with a garden hand trowel. Tap away loose soil and place the bulbs in a bucket or basket.
Storing Hyacinth Bulbs
If digging up the bulbs, use clean garden shears to remove any remaining roots and dried foliage. Spread the bulbs on a wire rack to dry for 36 to 48 hours in a cool, dry, dark spot.
Once dry, place the bulbs in a mesh bag and hang them in a cool, dry area. Alternatively, store them in a shallow box filled with a thin layer of dry moss, vermiculite, shredded paper, or sand, ensuring they are not touching.
Replanting Container Hyacinths
For best blooms, move your stored bulbs to the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks before replanting them in the fall. Use fresh, porous potting mix, cover the soil with a layer of mulch, and plant them in an area with full sun.
Post-Flowering Care for Forced Indoor Hyacinths
Forced indoor hyacinths may not rebloom after prolonged energy expenditure. However, you can try removing the flower stem, allowing the foliage to die, and storing the bulb. Then replant or attempt to force them again in early winter.
But, for consistent spring hyacinths, it's best to buy fresh bulbs yearly.
[1] The Spruce Gardens: Hyacinth Care: Everything Gardeners Need to Know - https://www.thespruce.com/caring-for-hyacinth-bulbs-2132715 [2] The Spruce Gardens: How to Fertilize Hyacinth Bulbs - https://www.thespruce.com/fertilizing-hyacinth-bulbs-1301619 [3] Livestrong.com: How to Grow Hyacinths - https://www.livestrong.com/article/177565-how-to-grow-hyacinths/ [4] Gardeningknowhow.com: How to Care for Hyacinths - https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hyacinth/how-to-care-for-hyacinths.htm
- For a beautiful display of perennial flowers, consider planting hyacinth bulbs in your garden or containers, as seen in gardening ideas from Southern Living and other home-and-garden lifestyle magazines.
- After the hyacinths have bloomed, gardening care involves snipping off the spent flower spikes and allowing the foliage to wither naturally, which stores energy for the next year's bloom.
- During the off-season, hyacinth bulbs require a chilling period to revive and produce another round of flowers in the following spring, as detailed in gardening techniques from experts like The Spruce Gardens.
- To maintain a flourishing garden of perennial flowers, including hyacinths, incorporate urban gardening ideas such as container care and using pre-chilled bulbs for an early spring display, as practiced by many Southern garden enthusiasts.
