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Hyacinthus orientalis

Common Hyacinth · Garden Hyacinth

Family AsparagaceaeGenus Hyacinthus

A dense spike of magenta hyacinth flowers with curled-back petals, above thick green leaves wet with rain
FlowerDerek RamseyGNU FDL 1.2

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Bulb, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
bulbous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
0.7-1 ft20-30 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
3-6 in10-15 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Blue, Gold/Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good DrainageExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Worth knowing

  • Brought to Europe in the 16th century. Over 2,000 cultivars have been named, and the Netherlands is a major center of growing it; in France it is used in perfume. Wikipedia: Hyacinthus orientalis

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 10, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 56 days.

100% germination in 42–56 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Hyacinthus p. 153Public domain
Show the original text
Hyacinthus (Liliaceae). H. orientalis germ. 70-40(100% in 6-8 w) and 40(2%)-70(20%). This latter would probably have given more germination if the experiment had been continued for another cycle. Seed DS 6 m at 70 is all dead, and seed DS 6 m at 40 is largely dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Hyacinthus p. 153. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

20% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Hyacinthus p. 153Public domain
Show the original text
Hyacinthus (Liliaceae). H. orientalis germ. 70-40(100% in 6-8 w) and 40(2%)-70(20%). This latter would probably have given more germination if the experiment had been continued for another cycle. Seed DS 6 m at 70 is all dead, and seed DS 6 m at 40 is largely dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Hyacinthus p. 153. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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