Along with snowdrops and crocuses, beautiful hyacinth is considered one of the messengers of spring. This flower in the garden replaces the earliest harbingers of the flourishing of nature after hibernation, heralding the full entry of spring into its own rights. "Curly" flowers (for them in the East hyacinths were called "curls of guria") of various colorful colors and a unique pleasant aroma gave them the glory of one of the most beloved spring flowers. They are often used in landscaping, but are sometimes grown at home.
The most beautiful species and varieties
In the wild, this beautiful plant grows in the vast expanses of the Mediterranean. Its poetic name, translated from Greek, sounds no less beautiful - “rain flower”. This is due to the fact that the flower blooms after the first spring rain. The Greeks also call it purple saber due to the characteristic shape of the leaves.
On the inflorescence can be from 15 to 45 flowers, which in some varieties are even double, which makes the plant even more attractive. In total there are more than 400 varieties. Below are the main species that have become the basis for breeders, and varieties in the popular colors.
The main types
Oriental
The most common species, which became the basis for most decorative varieties. In nature, it grows in Croatian Dalmatia, Asia Minor and Greece. Flowers in inflorescences are rare, can be of different colors, but always have a pleasant rich aroma. The duration of flowering largely depends on a particular variety.
The color scheme can vary from the usual white and blue shades to the purple-crimson and almost black color (the darkest is the purple Midnight Mystique variety). There are even hybrid varieties with colorful colors.
The cultivation of hyacinths of this species is especially popular among the Dutch, which is why some of their varieties are called Dutch. Tulip Country also supplies hyacinth bulbs of numerous varieties to the world market, being one of the leaders in this direction.
Hyacinth Litvinova (hyacinth)
One of the most beautiful wild species that is found in the vastness of Turkmenistan and Iran. The blue and violet color of the petals predominates, often with a greenish overflow. The stems in it can be both tall and stunted. In nature, it is a perennial, but is grown in the garden as an annual. Unlike other species, it has almost no aroma.
Trans-Caspian
The third type of hyacinths, from which the main decorative varieties originated, is very rare. It is an endemic of Turkmenistan. On each stalk, 5-10 large blue flowers, similar to bells, bloom.
Varieties of hyacinths in colors
Blue
Bismarck is the most popular variety in this group. It enchants with large light purple flowers with a darker longitudinal stripe. At one inflorescence, they grow to 25 pieces. This is the earliest flowering variety, which is ideal for decorating gardens.
Not inferior to him in popularity and attractiveness, "Delft Blue" with the same large flowers, but blue in color. Their number in the inflorescence can reach up to 40. Most often used for landscaping lawns.
The lightest color in this group is Ostara - a variety with blue flowers with a barely noticeable darkish streak. Early flowering, it is especially loved by gardeners.
“Aqua” in one of its names recalls the resemblance to the water element. The petals of the blue-blue and light-violet hues are like rain droplets frozen in the air.
Lilac
In this group, the variety “Amethyst” with beautiful lilac flowers, with a darker color along the edge, is most popular among gardeners. On inflorescences grows up to 30 flowers. Flowering at him later.
No less fascinating is the rich purple gamut “Lord Balfour”, which belongs to the early flowering ones and in this group is considered one of the best varieties by color. Up to 20 flowers can grow on an inflorescence.
Whites
"Innosans" is characterized by wide snow-white petals and belongs to the popular early flowering varieties. It is considered universal because it is ideal for decorating gardens, looks great and is stored in bouquets. The white Carnegie hyacinth that blooms a little later is not inferior to him in popularity.
Pink
The most popular in this group are the pale pink Lady Derby flowers and the Anna Marie variety with a darker pink color. The latter refers to the early flowering and most attractive for decorating flower beds.
The most intense pink gamut is characteristic for Pink Pearl. But the true leader in enchanting beauty and aroma is the "Tea Rose" with large inflorescences of soft pink color.
Reds
Varieties of this group are rarer in comparison with common white and blue hyacinths, but are distinguished by a special decorative appeal. “La Victoire” is especially beautiful, which impresses not only with its sonorous name, but also with colorful raspberry-pink flowers with shine and overflow in the sun.
No less fascinating is “Jan Bos” with bright red petals, lighter at the edges. It attracts gardeners not only for its beauty, but also for the repeated flowering of inflorescences.
On our site most-beauty.ru you can also look at the most beautiful flowers in the world.
Golden gamma
Yellow and orange hyacinths are even less common than red hyacinths and are among the most late-flowering varieties. "Gypsy Queen" is distinguished by dense inflorescences with apricot color petals. The City of Harlem variety is also interesting, with light yellow flowers with a cream tint along the edges of the petals.
Not hyacinths, but with a similar name
Many of the following plants are among the main varieties of this spring flower. In fact, all the similarities end with the name, and the flowers themselves do not belong to this genus.
Mouse hyacinth
It has more than 30 species and is often grown in gardens. With hyacinths, the color scheme is related to it - beautiful blue-violet and white flowers, collected in thick brushes.
Water hyacinth (eichornia)
River hyacinth - a flower native to the tropics of America, which received its name for external resemblance. Pink, white, purple flowers located on a pillow from a leaf outlet resemble ordinary hyacinths. They grow very quickly, often becoming a real problem for boat movement, which is why it is called green plague. For decorative purposes, they are used to decorate aquariums, as well as in garden ponds as a natural water purifier.
Legends and Symbols
By the number of legends and symbols that surround hyacinth, few plants will be able to compete with it seriously. This beautiful flower is named after the handsome Greek youth - the son of King Sparta. The guy was patronized by Apollo himself. But once, during his competition with God, an accident happened. The young man died, and Apollo turned the drops of his blood into an incredibly beautiful flower. The plant has become a symbol of a dying and reborn nature, like the mythical bird Phoenix.
It was from Greece that these flowers first came to the vastness of Europe in the 30s. XVIII century, having received initially special popularity in Denmark and the Netherlands. According to one legend, when a tulip boom began to decline in Holland, a Genoese ship crashed off the coast of the country. A box with small bulbs nailed to the shore in waves. Soon the beautiful flowers blossomed on the coast. Therefore, the Dutch themselves consider hyacinths a symbol of unexpected luck and easy victory.
Due to the ancient Greek myth, the halo of the “flower of sorrow” was attached to the plant. But how can you believe in such symbolism by looking at the riot of bright colors of hyacinths that enchant your eyes ?! Therefore, much more often they are given the completely opposite symbolism - the flower of happiness and prosperity.
Hyacinth is considered a symbol of boundless love and devotion. Therefore, it is difficult to find a more suitable flower for a wedding bouquet. Curious is the fact that 19 years of married life is called a hyacinth wedding. Why not give just such a beautiful floral arrangement as a sign of special love and devotion?
Also, like this flower, they call a stone of ruby hue, which is given the same symbolism. When cut, it is similar to a luxurious diamond, but such a jewel is very rare in nature.
Floristic compositions
A bouquet of hyacinths is a vivid evidence of sincere tender feelings. These are some of the best flowers for beautiful spring compositions, which are often used even in wedding floristry. They look fresh and romantic, therefore, they are found not only in decor, but also as a bride’s bouquet, who wants to emphasize a gentle and romantic image.
Lush colorful inflorescences of hyacinths immediately attract attention and rarely leave anyone indifferent. Gives them attractiveness and the fact that they are centenarians in terms of maintaining their attractiveness after cutting.
Delicate hyacinths go well with both their spring garden counterparts (daffodils, tulips) and more luxurious roses and lilies. But the best neighbors in a bouquet with them are freesia and irises.
The ideal conclusion to any such floral arrangement is the addition of branches of decorative greenery, the frame of which will beautifully emphasize the exquisite beauty of spring flowers. In bouquets, hyacinths can play both the role of the first violin and the secondary one, always remaining a noticeable beautiful component of them.
To whom to give
White hyacinth is considered a symbol of purity of soul, openness and sincerity. It is customary to give a bouquet of them to a beloved as a sign of especially tender feelings and affection.
If you believe the language of flowers, then a bouquet of yellow hyacinths as a gift to a girl should make her think, because it means jealousy of her lover.
Red-pink flowers serve as a symbol of incinerating passion, stormy feelings, but blue flowers are a symbol of harmony and mean special devotion to the person to whom they were presented.
Since the flowers are spring, they are most often presented as a gift on Valentine's Day and on March 8th. But it is important to consider that their recipient does not have allergies, because hyacinths have a very strong aroma.
Summary
Hyacinths - a symbol of the awakening of nature from hibernation and a riot of spring colors, some of which went to them themselves. They captivate with their gentle-romantic halo and even impress on the photo with that unique beauty, in which the blue of water and sky blue, snow-white clouds and colorful colors of sunset are mixed. It is simply impossible not to love them with all my heart.
Posted by skywriter13