Their perfume is cause enough to plant them! Sweet heady hyacinths, their lovely scent announces spring has come.
And yet, it's color that dominates with hyacinths. With their stiff, stately bearing and densely-packed florets, hyacinths deliver some of the richest, dewiest shades available for the spring garden: beguiling indigo blues, deepest darkest purple, cool creams, coral, blush rose, brilliant crimson and fuchsia.
Hyacinths are among the easiest bulbs to grow. Plant the big bluish bulbs eight inches deep in any well-drained soil in sunny positions. Position bulbs about three to six-inches apart in irregular groups of three or more for greatest impact.
Following are some of the prettiest hyacinths in all hues to plant this fall for a fabulous show next spring. Many are old-time Dutch favorites with long and colorful pasts; introductory years are noted.