March 7th is the World Hyacinth Day.
Hyacinths are highly fragrant bulb plants that bloom from March to April. They are native to the eastern Mediterranean region, eastern Iran, and Turkey. In the Victorian language of flowers, the Hyacinth symbolizes sport; the blue Hyacinth signifies sincerity.
The common hyacinth is Hyacinthus Orientalis of the family Liliaceae. The plant produces a dense, compact spike of bell-shaped waxy flowers, 6-12 inches tall in shades of white, peach, orange, salmon, yellow, pink, red, purple, lavender, and blue in a bundle of narrow bright green leaves.
Planting
Plant hyacinth bulbs in Fall when soil temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Select a site with full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches and mix in a 2 to 4 inch layer of compost to prepare the garden bed for planting.
Set the bulbs in holes of 6 to 8 inches deep holes, point the tips upwards, 4 to 6 inches apart; cover the bulbs with soil pressing firmly; water them thoroughly. Harvest when the first florets just begin to show color, or earlier. After they blossom in Spring, allow the plants to grow until their leaves die off. After blooming they need time to store energy in the bulbs for the next year. After it stops producing flowers at the end of flowering season, to remove the dead plant, either snip it off at the base or twist the leaves while pulling it lightly.
Cut flower care
Nowadays, fresh-cut Hyacinths are sold complete with roots intact to make the flowers last longer. Don’t cut these off, but just give them a good rinse. Use a clean vase and filling it with clean lukewarm water mixed with a floral preservative solution; follow the instructions provided. After removing any damaged flowers, arrange your bouquet in the vase so that it is displayed attractively in the house.
Hyacinth flowers should be kept in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Check the water level frequently and top up the vase with lukewarm water, which promotes good liquid uptake. Remove regularly damaged and dying flowers. This helps the flowers last longer. Every four days cut off about one inch (2.5cm) of the stems in an angle and change the water at the same time. If taken good care Hyacinth flowers last seven days and possibly slightly longer.
Flowersession 
I have just come across your blog and love it; it is full of helpful information. I have a question though regarding hyacinths that grow in vase of water: what can I do with mine after it stops flowering? Will iit flower next year? Should I continue keeping it sitting on the hycinth vase?
Thanks a lot in advance for your reply.
Robin
(London, UK)
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Hi Robin,
Thank you for your nice comment on my blog. I appreciate your interest in the material I post.
Your question about the care of Hyacinth bulbs that grow in vase, I would say, with proper care they should bloom again next year.
There are different ways of preserving the bulbs for the next season. Here is a step-by-step very common method that I use.
1-After the plant stops flowering I cut the entire stem off and leave the foliage to turn brown and die off naturally. This helps the bulb to store up energy for the next blooming cycle.
2-Then, I remove the bulb from the vase and let it dry for a week or two.
3- Next, I put it in a paper bag and store it in a cool dark place until next season.
4- Prior to blooming season and before I plant them in a pot or vase, I chill them preferably in the refrigerator (45F/7C) for 8 to 10 weeks. (Hyacinths need a cold dormant period to be able to produce new blooms).
5- After the chilling period they are ready to be planted again in fresh soil or glass vase.
6- Always keep the bulbs away from sunlight especially during blooming season.
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