We don't think that Hyacinth plants get the attention that they deserve - they are wonderful additions to UK gardens. They are pretty much the perfect Spring bulbs - dazzling colours, interesting shapes, captivating scent, attractive to pollinators. If you are looking to kick off the growing season with a bang, full of beautiful flowers and tubers, then hyacinth bulbs are a must!
Growing hyacinths is a pretty low-maintenance task, but if you really want them to thrive, and to really get the most out of them, then there are few things you can do. Specifically, once they have flowered, if you follow the steps in this blog, you will be able to ensure you get that same burst of colour and smell next Spring. And the good news is that it's pretty straightforward once you know how!
They usually flower in mid-to-late Spring, in April or May, then a few months later they will go dormant. This is the point at which you need to take action...
After Your Hyacinth is Done Blooming/Flowering
Hyacinth bulbs will offer you a short, sharp burst of colour when they flower - usually offering around a few weeks of blooming. Eventually, you'll notice that the flower itself will be the first to show signs of its decline, with slight withering or browning, before it shrivels up and dies.
The plant will naturally try to start seed production, by creating new seed heads - but this would be a waste of its energy at this stage. So what you want to do is to cut off all of the flower spikes, making sure to leave all the foliage - they'll need that for the photosynthesis process.
It's also important that keep watering and feeding (try a liquid seaweed) the plant, right up until the foliage turns yellow, which won't happen for another month or so.
Once this is done, your next steps will depend on where you are growing them, so let's look at a couple of the different options now:
What to Do With Hyacinth Bulbs After Flowering in the Garden
If you plant hyacinths outside, you need to make a decision about what to do with hyacinth bulbs after flowering. For some people, the fact that hyacinth bulbs are so affordable means that they are not too bothered about protecting them for next year - they will just buy new, healthy bulbs when it comes to planting season in early Autumn.
However, if you would like to preserve your bulbs, ready to go again in the Spring, then it's quite simple. All the nutrients that it needs for next year's flowers will have been collected by the leaves, and returned to the bulb. Now you can remove the dead flower stalk, right down to the base of the bulb, and lift the bulb out of the soil.
Then it needs to be stored in a dry, dark place for a nice long rest, before you can replant it in the Autumn. It's as easy as that!
What to Do With Hyacinth Bulbs After Flowering in Containers
If you have your hyacinth bulbs growing in containers, the theory is the same. Once the plants have gone dormant, remove the heads, and when the foliage begins to die back, you can remove the flower stalk, remove it the bulb from the soil and store it in a dry, dark space. You can growing hyacinths again next year, and it will be ready for Spring flowering.
What to Do With Hyacinth Bulbs After Blooming Indoor
Hyacinth bulbs that have grown indoors are sometimes known as 'forced bulbs' - i.e. bulbs that have been tricked into thinking it is Spring when it isn't. The warmer temperatures in you house will induce an early blooms. While this tactic can create some stunning indoor displays, it is very unlikely that these bulbs will bloom again for a second year.
Once the you see the foliage die, it's best to discard the plant and buy a new hyacinth plant for indoors, or wait until Autumn for some more bulbs.
How Do You Store Hyacinth Bulbs?
We mentioned earlier that you should store your hyacinth bulbs in a dark, cool, dry place, but there are a couple of other tips for when you store them:
- First of all, check them all for damage - things like bulb rot or disease. Anything that doesn't look right, you should get rid of to protect the rest of the crop.
- The bulbs will be best stored in temperatures of around 15 °C - at that time of year a shed will be fine as it won't dip lower than that regularly.
- Use a paper or mesh bag to put them in. A plastic bag can cause them to rot.
- Always label your bags!
Hyacinth bulbs - Conclusion
It's easy to see why hyacinth bulbs have become so popular in UK gardens - brilliant flashes of colour, intriguing shapes and a wonderful aroma. Planted with other spring bulbs, they can help create incredible displays that will bring so much joy when Spring rolls around.
Shop our Hyacinth Bulbs today, and start planning your dream garden for next year.
