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Hyacinth Care: Enhance the Beauty of Your Bouquets
Hyacinths, with their intoxicating fragrance and clusters of cheerful, bell-shaped blooms, bring an undeniable touch of springtime magic to any room. Whether you enjoy them as cut flowers or as potted "forced" hyacinths, their beauty is undeniable. Here's a guide from KS Flowers on maximising the lifespan of your hyacinths and ensuring their sweet scent fills your home for as long as possible.
Choosing the Freshest Hyacinths
Your hyacinth care journey begins with selecting a vibrant and fragrant bunch or potted plant. Look for:
- Plump Flower Spikes: Choose hyacinths with dense clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers in your chosen colour.
- Fragrance: Gently inhale near the blooms to experience the delightfully sweet, heady fragrance hyacinths are known for.
- Healthy Stems & Leaves: Look for sturdy stems and vibrant green foliage, especially on cut hyacinths.
- Potted Hyacinths: If selecting those, look for plants with buds just starting to open and show their colour.
Hyacinth Care at Home
- Clean Vase: Thoroughly wash your vase with warm, soapy water to eliminate bacteria that can shorten flower lifespan.
- Fresh Cut: Trim the stems at a 45-degree angle, removing about an inch off the bottom. This maximises water absorption.
- Hydration is Key: Fill your vase with cool, clean water.
- Flower Food: Add flower food to the water to provide essential nutrients and help your hyacinths last longer.
- Cool Location: Keep your hyacinth bouquet away from direct sunlight, drafts, and heat sources. They prefer a cool, slightly shaded spot.
Potted Hyacinths
- Bright, Indirect Light: Place your potted hyacinth in a spot with bright but indirect sunlight.
- Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
- Cool Temperatures: Hyacinths thrive in cooler temperatures, extending their bloom time.
Additional Tips for Hyacinths
- Change the Water: Replace the vase water every couple of days to prevent bacteria build-up.
- Recur the Stems (Cut Flowers): Periodically re-trim the stems at an angle to maintain optimal water uptake.
- Handle Bulbs with Care: The sap from hyacinth bulbs can irritate the skin. Wear gloves when handling them extensively.
Enjoy Your Beautiful Hyacinths!
With proper care, your hyacinths can bring their vibrant colours and intoxicating fragrance into your home for a week or sometimes longer!
Delivery Options for Your Perfect Bouquet or Potted Hyacinth
Whether you're in the Northampton area or across the UK, KS Flowers has you covered. We offer local Northampton delivery to ensure freshness. Need it shipped nationwide? We provide reliable and careful delivery options across the country.
The KS Flowers Difference
At KS Flowers, we're passionate about bringing the beauty and optimism of chrysanthemums into your life. Our experienced florists hand-select the freshest blooms and expertly craft them into stunning bouquets. We pride ourselves on personalized service, attention to detail, and a commitment to exceeding your expectations.
History of Hyacinths
- Ancient Origins: The hyacinth finds its roots in the Eastern Mediterranean, specifically in what is now Turkey and Lebanon. Evidence suggests their cultivation as far back as Ancient Greece.
- Greek Mythology: The name "hyacinth" stems from a tragic Greek myth. Hyacinthus, a handsome youth, was adored by Apollo, the god of the sun. Zephyrus, the West Wind god, also loved Hyacinthus. In a fit of jealousy, Zephyrus caused a discus thrown by Apollo to veer off course, striking and killing Hyacinthus. A heartbroken Apollo transformed Hyacinthus's blood into the first hyacinth flower.
- Introduction to Europe: Hyacinths were likely introduced to Europe around the 16th century. By the 17th and 18th centuries, they skyrocketed in popularity, especially in Holland, leading to a period known as "Hyacinth Mania" - mirroring the famous tulip craze!
- Modern Cultivation: Today, hyacinths are commercially cultivated worldwide, loved for their vibrant colours and sweet fragrance.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Gladiolus
- Sweet Aroma: Hyacinths are known for their incredibly heady and beautiful fragrance, making them a favourite in perfumery and home fragrance.
- Colour Symbolism: Different coloured hyacinths symbolise diverse emotions:
- Blue: Sincerity, constancy
- Purple: Sorrow, forgiveness
- Pink: Playfulness
- Red: Love, passion
- Yellow: Jealousy
- White: Loveliness
- Springtime Staples: Hyacinths are synonymous with spring, symbolising rebirth and ushering in the warmer months.
- The "Hyacinth Bean": Though it shares the name, the hyacinth bean is unrelated to the true hyacinth. It's a climbing vine with purple flowers and pods.
- Forced Blooms: One unique trait of hyacinths is their ability to be "forced" to bloom indoors during the winter, bringing a burst of spring cheer into the home.
