Graceful grape hyacinths adorn the spring species with sky-blue flower clusters in order to grow wild in a decorative way. Even the inexperienced gardener's hand can coax colorful flowers from a frugal pearl hyacinth every year. Don't miss out on this pretty flower because there are still questions about its cultivation. Here you will find the right answer.
When and how should you plant grape hyacinths?
Grape hyacinths are spring-blooming bulb flowers that are planted between August and October. They prefer a sunny to semi-shady location with humus, fresh, moist soil. Their flowering period extends from March to May.
Planting grape hyacinth correctly
As a typical onion flower, the grape hyacinth wants to be planted in the warmed, autumnal soil. Therefore, between August and October, prepare the humus-rich, fresh, moist soil in a finely crumbly manner in a sun-drenched location. Soil that is too clayey can be optimized in no time with a little sand. How to proceed:
- Dig small pits at a distance of 8-10 cm, the depth of which corresponds to three times the height of the onion
- Insert up to 3 bulbs in each planting hole, fill with soil and press down
- Water with a fine spray so that the substrate is not washed away immediately
A mulch layer of leaves or compost protects the pearl hyacinth from the rigors of winter during the planting year.read more
Care tips
The pearl hyacinth reveals its diverse talents when it is given the following care program:
- Water regularly in the bed and pot without causing waterlogging
- Organic starter fertilization with compost in the bed
- Fertilize liquid in the planter according to the dosage instructions
- Only cut off withered flower stems if self-sowing is not desired
- Don't remove the leaves until they are completely absorbed
Apart from the year of planting, no explicit winter protection is required. In the planter, the pearl hyacinth moves to its frost-free winter quarters, as the bulb could freeze in the open air.read more
Which location is suitable?
The pearl hyacinth thrives in a sunny to partially shaded location. In combination with a loose, humus-rich soil, fresh, moist and preferably slightly sandy, the spring flower happily goes into the desired naturalization. Grape hyacinths are particularly impressive in an open area with wild shrub character or along the sun-drenched edge of the woods.
The correct planting distance
Use the pearl hyacinth to create floral bands along the path, as a bed border or grave border. Arranged in small tuffs, the spring flowers create magical accents in sky blue. In order to arrange these creative flower pictures harmoniously, we recommend a planting distance of 8 to 10 cm.
What soil does the plant need?
The pearl hyacinth makes its fresh spring appearance every year in good garden soil. Ideally, the soil is humus, loose and fresh and moist. A slightly sandy content is advantageous so that the delicate roots can establish themselves quickly. In balcony boxes and pots, grape hyacinths thrive in standard potting soil, enriched with sand for first-class permeability.
What is the best time to plant?
So that the pearl hyacinth is in the spring bed on time, plant the bulbs in the ground in autumn. The best planting time is from August to October, ending with the first frost.
When is flowering time?
If the weather is normal, the pearl hyacinth will delight us with its enchanting flower spikes from March to May. If the winter rages for a long time with frost and snow, the flowers only venture out from cover in April to bloom until June.read more
Cut grape hyacinth correctly
With the help of targeted cutting at the right time, you can direct both the seeding and the vitality of grape hyacinths in the bed and on the balcony. If the desired hordes of blue heralds of spring are already in the garden, cut off any withered flowers immediately. In this way you prevent seed formation and the pearl hyacinth saves energy. However, leave the leaves on the plant until they are completely absorbed.
Watering grape hyacinth
If the natural rainfall does not cover the water requirement, the pearl hyacinth is watered in the bed. Cultivated in pots or flower boxes, the flowers dry out more quickly. Check the moisture content of the substrate every 2-3 days. If the surface feels dry, the plants receive a drink of water.
Fertilize grape hyacinth properly
The pearl hyacinth thanks to annual fertilization with compost and horn shavings with lush flowers and vital growth. Only spread the organic fertilizer because even superficial work in with the rake causes too much disturbance and could damage the sensitive roots. For this reason, we recommend using a liquid fertilizer for grape hyacinths in pots.
Wintering
The pearl hyacinth is sufficiently hardy for our regions. Therefore, no special precautions need to be taken in the bed. It is best to store flowers in planters in frost-free winter quarters. Since the bulbs have completely absorbed their above-ground plant parts, they can be kept dry over the winter.
Propagate grape hyacinth
The pearl hyacinth organizes its expansion in the garden on its own through seeding and breeding bulbs. If you, as a gardener, would like to set the course for propagation, simply use the available daughter bulbs. Here's how to do it:
- Lift well-established plants from the ground in late summer or fall
- Cut off the drawn leaves and shake off the soil
- Using a sharp, disinfected knife, cut off the easily recognizable onions
In the new location, place the daughter bulbs in loose soil and water a little. The mother onion rejuvenated in this way returns to its previous position.
Is grape hyacinth poisonous?
Grape hyacinths pose a he alth risk to children when they curiously put the parts of the plant in their mouths. In the family garden, the pearl hyacinth should therefore be out of reach of your little pioneers. For pets, especially cats, grape hyacinth proves to be life-threatening due to the highly toxic saponins.read more
Pearl hyacinth has faded. What now?
Once the charming pearl hyacinth has finished its springtime spectacle, gardening decisions must be made regarding further activities. If sowing is desired, the sight of withered flowers should be tolerated until the seed heads are mature and scattered. Only then do you cut off the stems. The foliage remains on the plant until it has withered completely. The bulbs themselves remain in the ground because they are completely hardy.
Beautiful varieties
- Superstar: Small pearl hyacinth, whose white-ringed, cornflower-blue spikes have darker shades upwards; Growth height 15-20 cm
- Album: Magnificent variety with pure white flower bells in spiked clusters from March; Growth height 20-30 cm
- Peppermint: The light blue flowers shimmer subtly as if they were frozen; Growth height 20 cm
- Weinberg's grape hyacinth: night-blue flowers from April to May for sunny locations; Growth height 20-25 cm
- Crowded grape hyacinth: Extravagant variety with upright, sterile petals, like a tuft of hair; Growth height 25 cm
