A gift that carries the fragrant promise of spring

SPRINGHOUSE FARM JOURNAL

By Heather Lovett
   The sad story of Hyacinthus is typical of Greek mythology, touching on themes of beauty, love, jealousy, death, and rebirth. Graced with physical beauty and unsurpassed talent at "zither and bow," Hyacinthus was much admired by the sun god Apollo, sparking the jealousy of Zephyr, god of the west wind. One day, during a game of discus-throwing, Zephyr blew Apollo’s discus off-course, causing it to strike and kill his rival. Distraught and guilt-ridden, Apollo tried to save the dying Hyacinthus, and when his efforts failed he created a beautiful flower from the young man’s blood, naming it "hyakinthos" in his honor.
   Scholars disagree as to whether the mythical flower is the same hyacinth grown in gardens today. In one version of the legend, as related in Ovid’s "Metmorphoses," the lily-like, purple bloom is inscribed with the letters "ai ai" (alas, alas), after Apollo’s cry of distress at the death of his friend. Gladiolus, iris, fritillary, and larkspur have all been suggested as possible candidates, but only one species, the ancestor of modern-day hyacinths, retains the genus name.
   Hyacinths as we know them are derived from a delicate wildflower, Hyacinthus orientalis, native to Greece and Asia Minor. They were introduced to Europeans from Constantinople in the mid-sixteenth century, and arrived in Holland shortly thereafter. Over the years, the Dutch transformed the fragrant pale blue, white, or purple flower into the fat, sturdy, brightly-colored "Dutch hyacinths" that dominate the market today.
   Not everyone is fond of hyacinths; many find the modern hybrids stiff and artificial-looking, and claim their scent is overpowering. I’m inclined to agree that Dutch breeders have gone too far in the direction of tightly-packed flowering stems, but when it comes to fragrance, I side with the English garden writer Christopher Lloyd, who says: "if the hyacinth scent is cloying, I am perfectly happy to be cloyed."
   One of the nice things about hyacinths is that they can be easily forced for indoor bloom. When I’m starved for fresh flowers in the middle of winter I look for pre-planted, sprouted bulbs at the grocery store or garden center, knowing their heavenly fragrance will bring a tantalizing taste of spring into the house. After they have finished blooming I treat them as ordinary houseplants, and when the weather warms up I tuck them into odd corners of the garden.
   Hyacinths tend to loosen up after a year or two, reverting to a more natural form with fewer flowers per stem. A dose of fertilizer right after blooming will help restore most of their vigor, but I actually prefer them in a more relaxed state. Outdoors, I plant them in groups of three or so among other spring-bloomers to soften their rigid outlines. Christopher Lloyd suggests interplanting with peonies, since the hyacinths’ colors blend well with emerging, ruby-red peony shoots.
   Dutch growers must have caught on to the fact that some gardeners dislike the formality of their giant "improved" hyacinths. They now offer a more graceful variety called ‘Multiflora Festival,’ the result of cross-breeding with wild Roman hyacinths (H. orientalis var. albulus). Each ‘Festival’ bulb produces several stalks carrying loose sprays of fragrant white, light blue, or pink flowers.
   To force hyacinth bulbs, plant them in pots that are at least 5 inches deep to allow the roots enough room to grow, with just the tip of the pointed ends above the soil. They need a period of about eight to 12 weeks in a cool, dark place for the roots to develop, and should never be allowed to dry out. Once the flowering shoots begin to show they can be brought into the light. Hyacinths can also be grown in water, in specially designed hyacinth glasses. The procedure is essentially the same, although some experts say they should be thrown out after blooming because all the nutrients in the bulbs will be used up. I never pay attention to such advice, and would at least give them a chance in the garden with a fertilizer boost.
   Hyacinth bulbs make wonderful gifts, offering the fragrant promise of spring in a small, inexpensive package. They will keep on giving for years to come if planted in the garden, and as an added bonus, are among the few bulbs usually shunned by deer. Like Apollo’s "hyakinthos" of antiquity, the sweet-smelling hyacinth is a fitting symbol of rebirth, a touching reminder of the beauty and freshness of youth:
   "Hyacinth, too, Apollo would have placed
   In heaven had the drear fates given time
   To place him there. Yet in the form vouchsafed
   He is immortal. Year by year, when spring
   Drives winter flying and the Ram succeeds
   The watery Fish, he rises from the earth
   And in the greensward brings his bloom to birth."
   — from Ovid’s "Metamorphoses," Book X, translated by A. D. Melville.
   References:
   Lloyd, Christopher. "The Well-Tempered Garden." New York: Random House, 1985.
   Ward, Bobby J. "A Contemplation Upon Flowers." Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 1999.
   Hyacinth Sources:
   McClure & Zimmerman, P.O. Box 368, Friesland, Wis., 53935. (800) 883-6998. (Single, double, and ‘Festival’ hyacinths, including bulbs prepared for indoor forcing.)
   K. Van Bourgondien & Sons, P.O. Box 1000, Babylon, N.Y., 11702. (800) 622-9997. (Single, double, and ‘Festival’ hyacinths.)