Roman Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis var. albulus)

Roman Hyacinth: The Delicate, Fragrant Ancestor

The Roman Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis var. albulus), also called French Hyacinth, is the wild-type ancestor of the modern Dutch hyacinth. It produces loose, airy spikes of 6-12 highly fragrant, bell-shaped white (or pale blue) flowers on 8-12 inch stems in early spring. The foliage is narrow and grass-like. It is more heat-tolerant and perennial in warmer climates than its hybrid descendants.

Cultivation and Naturalizing

Plant bulbs in autumn in well-drained soil, full sun to part shade. It naturalizes beautifully in lawns, under deciduous trees, or in rock gardens. The bulbs are smaller than Dutch hybrids and multiply freely. The sweet fragrance is a hallmark of early spring. Allow foliage to die back naturally.

Taxonomy

• Family: Hyacinthaceae
• Genus: Hyacinthus
• Species: orientalis var. albulus