Hyacinths

H.orientalis(hyacinth);var.albulus(Roman hyacinth).

Hyacinths,which bear they waxy, bell-shaped flowers in clusters 15 to 25cm high, bring winter-weary indoor gardeners one of the first sweet scents of the spring. The most popular are the large-flowered cultivars of H. orientalis, which include "Amsterdam"(salmon pink), "Bismarck"

(pale blue), "City of Haarlem"(primrose-yellow),"L'Innocence"(white), "King of the Blues"(indigo-blue)and "Pink Pearl"(deep pink). The so called Roman hyacinths, derived from a strain know as H. orientalis var. albulus,bear blue, pink, or white flower clusters from each bulb.

HOW TO GROW. Hyacinths could be started in September or October. Plant them in bulb fibre or a peat-based potting compost leaving the noses exposed. Plunge the containers outdoors under 15cm of light soil, leaves or ashes, for eight or nine weeks in a cool place, then gradually bring inti light and temperatures around 10ºC (50ºF)