Hyacinths (Latin hyacinthus) are three different types of onion plants that belong to the asparagus family. Their distribution area extends from the Middle East to northeastern Iran. Only one of them feels comfortable in a Central European climate.
What types of hyacinths are there?
Hyacinth species include Hyacinthus litwinovii, Hyacinthus transcaspicus and Hyacinthus orientalis, the latter occurring in over 100 varieties and being the main representative in Central Europe. Varieties vary in flower color, abundance and “multiflora” characteristics.
The types of hyacinth
- Hyacinthus litwinovii
- Hyacinthus orientalis
- Hyacinthus transcaspicus
For the Central European gardener, only the species Hyacinthus orientalis with the addition subsp. orientalis of importance. Only it grows here in the gardens or is cultivated as a houseplant in the house.
Hyacinthus litwinovii is mainly found in Turkmenistan and northern Iran. The distribution area of Hyacinthus transcaspicus extends from Turkmenistan to western Iran. Hyacinthus orientalis is native to Turkey. It has spread across Central Europe to Israel.
Strongly scented spring flower in many colors
The Hyacinthus orientalis is now available in over 100 different varieties. The color spectrum ranges from pure white, to yellow and orange tones, to pink, violet and blue.
Normally the onion only produces one inflorescence. Some varieties also produce multiple flower stalks. They have the suffix “multiflora” in their name. There are hyacinths with single flowers as well as species whose flowers are double.
The flower consists of a stem on which there are small individual flowers like grapes, which consist of six petals of the same shape. In addition to the eye-catching flower, the scent of the hyacinth is unmistakable.
Small overview of well-known varieties of hyacinth
| Variety | Flower color | filled / unfilled | multiflora |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Anastasia” | light purple | unfilled | yes |
| “Freestyler” | pink-pink | unfilled | yes |
| “General Köhler” | pale blue | filled | no |
| “Chrystal Palace” | light purple | filled | no |
| “Holly Hook” | red | filled | no |
| “Prince of Love” | salmon pink | filled | no |
| “Snow Christal” | white | unfilled | no |
| “Peter Stuyvesant” | blue-violet | unfilled | no |
| “Odysseus” | orange-red | unfilled | no |
Hyacinths look particularly pretty in the spring bed if you plant different colors next to each other. But tone-on-tone plantings also have a very decorative effect and really get you in the mood for spring.
Tips & Tricks
The wild species of hyacinth mostly have bluish-colored flowers. Far fewer individual flowers form on the flower stalks than with the new cultivated forms. They don't get quite as high either.