Hyacinthus orientalis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-ah-SIN-thus or-ee-en-TAH-liss
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Hyacinth is a hardy, spring-flowering bulb with basal, narrowly strap-shaped leaves. Flowers arise on an erect stalk, each 6-parted, funnel-shaped, variously colored, and fragrant. It tolerates (prefers) summer drought, but should be kept moist after planting and during the growing season. Cover bulbs to a depth of 8 in. and space 1-3 in. apart. Hyacinthus orientalis flowers in mid-spring (April/May) for 2-3 weeks. It can be grown in zone 4 with mulch, or 5 to 7 without mulch. It is great for use in beds, borders, and rock gardens.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hyacinthus
- Species:
- orientalis
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eurasia, Mediterranean
- Bulb Storage:
- Mulch during the winter in zone 4.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers on an erect stalk, each 6-parted, funnel-shaped, variously colored, fragrant
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Basal and narrowly strap-shaped
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Small Space
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Stomach cramps, salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dermatitis after contact with cell sap. Possible nasal irritation and asthma in susceptible persons.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids such as lycorine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
- Hyacinthus orientalis is often confused with:
-
Amianthium muscitoxicum
-
Muscari armeniacum
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Allium
-
Iris
-
Iris reticulata
