Practical
Plants

Hyacinthus orientalis

Hyacinth

a member of the Hyacinthus genus in the family Hyacinthaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.1 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Poisonous, the sap can cause dermatitis[9]. The toxins are concentrated in the bulb[4].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[8][3]. 1kg of the oil is obtained from 6,000kg of flowers[7]. A blue dye is obtained from the flowers[2].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
W. Asia. Naturalized in Europe around the Mediterranean.
Habitat
Among rocks, up to 2000 metres in Turkey[11]
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in a light sandy soil[1]. If sown thinly, the seedlings can be left in their pots for the first year, though give them regular liquid feeds to make sure that they get sufficient nutrient. Prick out the seedlings about 3 to a pot and grow on for 1 - 2 more years before planting out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. Division in the autumn. Plant the small offsets 5cm deep[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year in a cold frame before planting them out when dormant in late summer. Scooping and scoring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a well-drained sandy soil in full sun[10][4]. Prefers a moderately rich soil[1]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[4]. When grown outdoors in Britain the bulb often gradually deteriorates each year due to a lack of summer heat that is required to fully ripen the bulb[1]. Eventually they look more like a bluebell than a hyacinth[K]. Bulbs should be planted out 7cm deep in October[1]. The flowers have a strong sweet fragrance that can fill the air for a considerable distance[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  2. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  3. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  7. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  9. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

  10. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

    ↩

  11. Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00

    ↩

Edit this page