Home for the Hyacinths

In the gardens at Splendid Market the “amuse bouche of spring” (aka crocus) and their companions the grape hyacinths are yet to break through the hard, cold soil to bring their welcomed bold colors to the surface of the earth. A Grape Hyacinth (muscari) is in the photo above, the projects following use a Common Hyacinth (hyacinthus orientalis).

Why not invite the splendor (and fragrance) of nature to bloom in your powder room, dining room, or at the edge of your bath?

It’s easy to do. Following are instructions on how to prepare hyacinths to bloom in your house three different ways. The cost for these planted bulbs was under $20, and creating all three looks took less than 20 minutes! Moss can be purchased or harvested.

Visit most any nursery in the late winter and you will see plastic pots with soil and bulbs ready to bloom.

These pots can be planted in your garden, outdoor pots OR positioned in a beautiful vessel of any sort and adorned with moss (or not), and brought inside to bloom.

The effects of the greenery, color and fragrance inside will be much appreciated. The process is simple, here is how one can arrange potted hyacinths 3 different ways….

Number one: Lift most of the soil and all of the bulbs and transplant them into a cache of an adequate size. After soaking some moss (bought or harvested) in water, tear nice looking sections and press them around the

perimeter of the vessel, fill more moss in around the bulbs, the moss makes the arrangement look full and lush.

Number two: For a more natural look, transplant the soil and bulbs to an appropriate sized container. Lift the bulbs up, so about 1/3 of the bulb is above the soil line. Dust off as much of the soil as you can with your fingers, then use a mister to rinse off more of the soil.

After soaking some moss (bought or harvested) in water, tear off nice looking sections and press it around the perimeter of the vessel, leaving the tops of the bulbs visible.

Number three: For the total au natural look, gently pull the bulbs from the soil and put them in a container of warm water to soak. Slosh them around gently and massage the roots to release the soil. You’ll have to change the water a couple of times to rinse off all of the soil, and may have to put the bulbs and roots under running water.

For a dramatic effect, choose a clear vessel with tall sides, put in 2-5 inches of a medium (stones, marbles, beach glass….) in the bottom of the container.

Rest the bulbs on top of the medium, allowing (and helping) the roots to dangle down).

When brought indoors, these arrangements will all bloom more quickly in a warm, sunny location. To slow down the growth, place them in a cooler, darker location.

Water is essential. You can water the arrangements by heavily misting them each day; placing 2-3 ice cubes on them each day or giving them a thorough soak in the sink every couple of days.

With arrangement number three, if the vessel becomes too full of water, you can use a paper towel to absorb the water, or pour the water out, while carefully holding the medium and bulbs in place.

Display the arrangements throughout your home, as the flowers open you will enjoy an amazingly heady perfume letting you know Spring is near!