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The Hope of Spring

Growing up I loved the 4 or 5 Hyacinths that grew under my parents bedroom each Spring. Their beauty so unexpected, and the scent, heavenly. As an adult I've always stopped to smell them whenever I see them each Spring, whether in someone else's garden, or at the grocery store. One Spring I was particularly sad. I bought a Hyacinth and placed it next to my bed, so I could smell it as I fell asleep and first thing when I woke up. A wonderful way to heal. Now that I have my own garden, I can plant my own Hyacinths. I had what I didn't know were overly-ambitious plans for both Tulips and Hyacinths - Tulips lining most of the front beds and Hyacinths lining the back patio. Once I calculated the cost of all, I realized I need to do this slowly, a bit each year. Of course the Hyacinths must be first. I am so excited about the colors I chose - slightly non-traditional. I ordered four colors from John Scheepers. They are:

Hyacinthus orientalis L'Innocence (white)
Hyacinthus orientalis Fondant (pale pink)
Hyacinthus orientalis Pink Pearl (brighter pink)
Hyacinthus orientalis Woodstock (magenta)
Click on the names to see the photos.

No blues or purples. There are two or three Muscari already there - took photos last Spring - so I'll rely on them to bring the blue.

I ordered the bulbs and they arrived promptly and well-protected. I checked them and they seemed very healthy. Big and full, no marks, firm.

I thought about planting them in some patterns using the different colors, but since our backyard is wooded, I decided to take a more natural approach and have lots of randomness as to which colors are where. I emptied all the bulbs into a wheelbarrow and mixed them up. So fun! I knew the white ones only because the bulbs were white. The other three all had deep red colored bulbs. But while planting them I found I didn't even pay attention to which were white, I was working so intently.
I placed them on the ground, then planted them about 6 inches down (bottom of bulb was at 6 inches). I tossed a bit of peat moss into each hole before I covered up the bulb.
I started fairly late in the day, so finished just as it was getting dark. I watered them all, then sprinkled some bulb food on top. Now only one issue:
HOW DO I POSSIBLY WAIT UNTIL APRIL TO SEE THEM BLOOM?? The patience required is intense. Happy Autumn all, and hope your Spring dreams are being planted as well.
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Comments

  1. GigaNovember 7, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Pięknie Ci zakwitną wiosną. Będziesz na nie patrzeć i podziwiać i czuć ich cudowny zapach. Pozdrawiam

    ReplyDelete
  2. SherryNovember 7, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Thank you, Giga. I am looking forward to the fragrance!

    ReplyDelete
  3. JenniferNovember 8, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    Jennifer@threedogsinagarden
    I am particularly fond of Hyacinths too. I always buy some at the grocery store throughout the winter to enjoy indoors. Some people find the scent too intense, but I love it. Based on the large pile of bulbs in your wheelbarrow, you should have a nice display come spring. The color scheme sounds perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  4. SherryNovember 8, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    I agree the scent is intense. I do have a small worry that I planted so many of them and the scent on the patio could be TOO intense. But it might also be heavenly. I hope the neighbors like hyacinths! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    You will have to force some indoors over the winter. I think you just chill the bulbs a bit, but look it up to be sure. Then you'll have some a bit earlier to enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SissyNovember 9, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    It is scent that brings us back to our childhood, isn't it? For me, it is the Lily of the Valley, but the hyacinth looks so fragile, but is tough as nails!
    I think it is my daughter's favorite. I just love John Scheepers! Can't wait to see them in your spring posts!

    ReplyDelete
  7. SherryNovember 10, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Thank you, Sissy and Robin. Hyacinths (and most bulb flowers) are poisonous for cats, so no hyacinths indoors for us. I have no plants indoors other than an enclosed terrarium and sometimes a few of my roses in a vase, which aren't poisonous. Hyacinths sure do look delicate but are tough as nails. I love that observation!

    ReplyDelete
  8. SherryNovember 10, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    By the way, when I brought the hyacinth home and placed next to my bed, I had no cats :-).

    ReplyDelete
  9. MarijkeNovember 11, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Good evening maybe good morning to you. What a clouds of parfum this bulb's are going to bring you next spring. I hope to see your photograps.
    Have a great weekend,
    Marijke

    ReplyDelete
  10. SherryNovember 11, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Thank you Marijke. I will post photos as soon as they bloom!

    ReplyDelete
  11. RoseNovember 17, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    I love hyacinths, too. You will have a beautiful display this spring--looking forward to seeing photos of them all then!

    ReplyDelete
  12. SherryNovember 19, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks Rose!

    ReplyDelete

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