Hyacinths are one of the first flowers of spring.

Overview

Hyacinth is considered a spring bulb like daffodils and tulips. They bloom shortly after the ground thaws in spring, bringing early color to your garden. Hyacinths come in a range of colors including white, pink and blue. Hardy plants, hyacinth bulbs overwinter in the ground, even in cold winter areas. Storing bulbs is only necessary when you desire to move the hyacinth bulbs to a new bed or force them indoors or when it is time to separate the bulbs---approximately every two to three years.

Step 1

Use plant markers or stakes to mark the location of the hyacinth bulbs as soon as they bloom. Once the leaves die back, the bulbs are nearly impossible to locate. Use caution when driving in the markers not to pierce or damage the bulbs.

Step 2

Wait for the leaves to die back completely. Leaves are necessary for hyacinth bulbs to store up the energy for next year's blooming, and digging them up too early may damage the bulbs.

Step 3

Dig around the bulbs with a garden trowel. Avoid hitting or nicking the hyacinth bulbs while digging. Lift them out of the soil and brush off excess soil. Dispose of any rotten or diseased-looking bulbs.

Step 4

Lay the hyacinth bulbs on newspaper without them touching each other. Leave the bulbs in a dry area out of sunlight for three to five days until they dry out. Brush off any remaining soil.

Step 5

Store the bulbs in a mesh bag hanging in a cool, dry place until it's time for replanting in the fall or forcing in late winter.