Planting hyacinth

This weekend, I’m going to be busy planting all my hyacinth bulbs.  I always leave these until last, because out of all the spring bulbs (including tulips), these are the ones that require the longest chilling period and to be planted at the latest possible time in May, to improve flowering.
I almost didn’t grow hyacinth this year after a not-so-successful season last year.  I think the main reason for poor flowering was because the bulbs weren’t chilled.  This year I purchased my bulbs in February, thinking I would receive them by early April at the latest and that I would be able to chill them for at least six weeks prior to planting.  Unfortunately, lockdown meant that I only received my bulbs half way through May, so they will only have a chilling period of around two weeks before I go to plant them.  This isn’t enough, but it’s the best I can do in the circumstances.  I don’t think anyone foresaw a global pandemic and if I did, I probably wouldn’t have ordered hyacinths given my lack of success last year.

It is possible to grow hyacinths well if you live in a region with warmer winters, but it can be a bit tricky.  It also depends on just how mild your winter is, as it varies from year to year. 
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I have put together some tips for planting hyacinth in warm climates.

• In order for hyacinth to flower well, I highly recommend chilling bulbs for 5-6 weeks prior to planting
• Don’t chill your bulbs too early or it may destroy the bud formation.  I would recommend starting the chilling process no earlier than mid-April
• Keep your fruit and veggies out of the fridge when chilling your bulbs, as the ethylene gas emitted by ripening fruits and vegetables can damage them. 
• If you can’t keep fruit and veggies out of the fridge and want to chill your bulbs, purchase some ethylene absorbing sachets to pop in the paper bag containing your bulbs.  Use one sachet for each bag.  Each sachet lasts for two months
• If you live in the northern part of New Zealand, plant hyacinth at the end of May, when it’s cooler.  If you plant your bulbs any earlier, they may not flower well as it can still be quite warm.  If you live in the South Island, you may be able to plant before the end of May as autumn and winter are much cooler than in the North.
• Hyacinth look stunning planted in containers.  For maximum impact, plant bulbs close together so there are no gaps. 
• You can also grow hyacinth in a glass, which you can get from a garden centre or through a mail order catalogue
• Hyacinth look best when planted in bold clumps of the same variety
• It may be a good idea to plant your bulbs a little deeper than gardeners who live in cool regions
• Sprinkle a little bulb fertiliser into the ground at the time of planting and mix well.  If you’re planting your hyacinth in pots, use a slow release bulb fertiliser, not a bagged granular one as it won’t break down
• After flowering, wait for the foliage on the plants to die completely.  Lift your bulbs and store in a cool, dry place using netted bags.  Next April, you can start chilling your bulbs to repeat the growing process.
• In saying that, in my personal experience hyacinth are best treated as an annual in warm climates, so I tend to start with fresh bulbs every autumn.  It may depend on what your winters are like.  If you live in a cooler region, you may find that your bulbs are fine for replanting and flower just as well in subsequent seasons