Hyacinthus orientalis Rosette

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Rosette' is a hybrid hyacinth that produces a large spike of double florets, in a light and fresh pink, with a delightful fragrance. Hyacinths are bulbs that can be grown in both the garden and containers. They are easy to force for winter flowering indoors.

Although the Oriental Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis is rarely cultivated nowadays, this bulb native to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions has produced many cultivars highly regarded in gardens for their magnificent spring blooms, and in floristry for their ability to be forced. 

The 'Rosette' hyacinth is a Dutch horticultural creation by G.Vreeburg dating back to 1971. It belongs, just like the species, to the family of hyacinthaceae, or asparagaceae. This plant has a large oval bulb and, from spring onwards, develops a clump of glossy ribbon-like, vibrant green leaves. In spring, earlier or later depending on the climate, a sturdy floral stem of 20-25 cm emerges, bearing numerous double flowers composed of petals in a light Neyron rose colour. Like many double varieties, 'Rosette' emits a beautiful fragrance. The thick and sturdy flower spikes withstand adverse weather conditions and do not bend. Outdoors, this variety blooms in the middle of the hyacinth season, between late March and early May. The foliage is deciduous in summer and reappears at the end of winter.

Among early blooms, the hyacinth stands out as one of the few bulbs with large flowers. Give it a prominent place in your garden, near the entrance of your house, to enjoy its fragrance with every passing. The 'Rosette' variety pairs well with hyacinths 'General Kohler' and 'Madame Sophie'. In your flower beds, mix it with 'Rosy Cloud' narcissus, with pink crowns, and 'Misty Glen' in pure white. Their hyacinth flowers are edible, raw or cooked, and have a slightly sticky texture. They can be crystallised with sugar or added to fruit salads according to your desires. In the past, they were a delicate delicacy known as "candied Constantinople hyacinths".