Hyacinth: One of the loveliest scent producers in spring
By Xu Chenlu

When it comes to spring flowers with vivid colors and beautiful scents, the hyacinth must get a mention. Native to the eastern Mediterranean, this plant has been cultivated worldwide with thousands of different cultivars for gardeners to select.

Closeup of a hyacinth flower. /VCG

Closeup of a hyacinth flower. /VCG

Hyacinth belongs to the lily family and has one of the most intense scents among flowers, according to researchers This plant grows from bulbs, which can produce one to three spikes of flowers. As the flowering time of the hyacinth is during March and April, the flower is often associated with spring and rebirth, and used as table setting during some spring celebrations.

Hyacinth can be used as table settings. /VCG

Hyacinth can be used as table settings. /VCG

Such an attractive plant is also surprisingly easy to grow. It loves sun, so make sure the bulb gets enough sunlight to sprout and thrive. You can choose either water or soil to plant the bulb and if you choose to plant it in soil, make sure to water it carefully but avoid soil that's too wet, otherwise the root will begin to rot. Both indoor and outdoor environments are good for hyacinths to grow.

Bulbs of hyacinths. /VCG

Bulbs of hyacinths. /VCG

One thing to keep in mind is that hyacinth bulbs contain oxalic acid, a toxic substance that can be irritating to the skin. Please wear gloves when handling the bulbs to avoid being harmed.

Read more from the series:

Season of flower

(All images via VCG)

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