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Plant

OF THE Best award-winning varieties

WEEK Photos: Alamy, unless stated

Hyacinths

Beautiful, scent-filled blossoms
‘Anna Marie’ ‘Blue Jacket’
get the season off to a flying start Lovely clear pink blossoms. Deep blue blossoms.
H: 25cm (10in). H: 20cm (8in).
From: www.peternyssen.com; From: www.bakker.com;
t this time of year than 2,000 varieties were listed in
tel: 0161 747 4000. tel: 0344 481 1001.
when we need uplifts the Netherlands, which remains
A of bright colour and the primary source of supply.
potent scent, nothing provides They became so popular at that
them more compellingly than time that a short-lived hyacinth
the hyacinth. Whether grown mania, similar to that with tulips,
naturally outdoors, or forced broke out in Holland around 1730.
in pots for a winter display on The RHS undertook a trial
windowsills, their long-lasting, of recent hyacinth varieties in
waxy-petalled candles of starry 2012, with six receiving the Award
blossom are always an arresting of Garden Merit (AGM)
site in shades of blue, red, pink, for outstanding performance, ‘City of Haarlem’ ‘Gipsy Queen’
orange, violet, yellow and bringing the total of AGM Gorgeous soft yellow tones. Eye-catching apricot-
white. Although there are some varieties to 15 from the 50 or so One of the best. salmon colour.
double-flowered forms, recent varieties generally available. The H: 25cm (10in). H: 25cm (10in).
breeding has concentrated National Collection of hyacinths From: www.crocus.co.uk; From: www.peternyssen.com;
on developing large, single held by farmer Alan Shipp in tel: 01344 578111. tel: 0161 747 4000.
flowers in clear colours. Cambridgeshire currently holds
In the wild, Hyacinthus in excess of 170 varieties.
orientalis inhabits rocky limestone Hyacinths are adaptable bulbs,
slopes and cliffs in the eastern preferring a well-drained soil and
Mediterranean, including Turkey, sun or part shade. Plant 10cm (4in)
Iran, Iraq and Syria. Wild plants deep in autumn for flowering
are sparsely flowered, a trait from mid-March. In pots, use a
adjusted over at least 400 years multi-purpose compost, with
to produce the densely flowered added grit or Perlite for drainage
types we see today. In their to flower from March, or earlier if
‘Jan Bos’ Miss Saigon
heyday in the 18th century, more you use specially prepared bulbs.
Old Edwardian variety in Vibrant rich violet
a striking pink hue. blossoms.
A double hyacinth ‘Roi de la Grande Bretagne’ H: 25cm (10in). H: 20cm (8in).
(King of Great Britain) was bought for more From: www.crocus.co.uk; From: www.mr-fothergills.co.uk;
than 1,000 Dutch florins in 1698. tel: 01344 578111. tel: 0333 777 3936.

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