Blooms Mid-Spring • Long-Lasting Cut Flowers • Grows Well in Containers Hyacinth Planting GuideGrow Your Own Perfume Hyacinth In many parts of the world hyacinths are coveted for their heady fragrance and grown for use in the production of perfumes. You may not choose to go into the fragrance business, but may still wish to take full advantage of this outstanding scent. Plant hyacinths near where you will walk or sit come springtime. Pot up several handfuls. When the stems of colorful bells are just beginning to open, whisk the containers indoors. Then breath deeply. You've just grown your own home perfume. Nice, huh? Outdoor Beds Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2-3 to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available. While hyacinths aren't fussy about soil, they will not survive in soggy soil or standing water. Site your hyacinths where they will get full day sun. In the hottest areas, a little afternoon is appreciated. Dig holes and plant the hyacinths bulbs 7-8” deep and 6” apart. The bulbs are round, larger than a golf ball and have papery skins. Plant them with the pointed end facing up. After planting, water hyacinths well to settle the soil around the bulbs. Roots will form in the autumn. Top growth and fragrant flowers will develop in the spring. When in bloom, feel free to cut hyacinths flowers for small bouquets. This will not hurt the plants and having scented blooms to bring indoors is one reason to grow hyacinths. After blooming has finished for the season leave the foliage in place don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulb for the future.