Hyacinths delight every gardener's heart with their fragrant flowers. In the garden they grow in the same place for many years. The robust onion plants do not need much care outdoors. The most important thing is the location.
How to care for hyacinths in the garden?
In the garden, hyacinths thrive best in a sunny location with well-drained, slightly nutritious soil. Plant the bulbs in autumn, water until the end of the flowering period in spring and avoid additional fertilizer. Hyacinths are hardy and do not require any frost protection measures.
The right location matters
Hyacinths grow best in a sunny location. They only thrive in partial shade if they get at least three hours of sun a day.
The soil must be permeable and slightly nutritious. Mix solid soil with sand or gravel to avoid waterlogging. A little mature compost in the planting holes is sufficient as fertilizer.
In spring the soil can be moist, because the hyacinth needs sufficient moisture during the flowering period. In the summer after flowering, the plant goes into a resting period during which it likes to stay dry.
The best time to plant the tubers
- September and October
- As early as possible in spring
- Prepared plants when it is no longer freezing
Hyacinth bulbs are best planted in autumn. During the winter the tuber has time to develop and also receives the necessary frost.
If necessary, you can plant hyacinths in spring, but they will only bloom a little in the first year.
You may only plant hyacinths that have been grown indoors outdoors if there is no possibility of it freezing again.
Planting tubers correctly
Dig planting holes that are at least twice as deep as the tuber itself. Maintain a distance of 20 to 30 centimeters between the plants.
Caring for hyacinths in the garden
You only need to water in spring until the end of the flowering period. The hyacinth then no longer receives water.
Fertilizing is not necessary. If necessary, you can rake some compost around the plants in the fall.
Only cut the faded flowers. The green leaves must not be removed.
Hyacinths need frost
Hyacinths are hardy and do not need any frost protection. On the contrary - the tubers are stratified by frost. Only then do they produce their characteristic flowers in spring.
Tips & Tricks
Voles like to eat hyacinth bulbs. Protect the tubers outdoors with wire baskets. The baskets must not be too narrow because the onions develop many daughter tubers.
