Dutch Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis 'Delft Blue')

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hyacinths
Featured
Resistances
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Sun Requirements
Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Toxicity
Other: Contact with bulbs may cause an allergic skin reaction.
Uses
Cut Flower, Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant
Bees
Child plants
2 child plants
Containers
Needs excellent drainage in pots, Suitable in 1 gallon, Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Flower Color
Blue
Flower Time
Spring
Flowers
Fragrant, Showy
Leaves
Spring ephemeral
Life cycle
Perennial
Minimum cold hardiness
Zone 4a -34.4 °C (-30 °F) to -31.7 °C (-25 °F)
Plant Habit
Herb/Forb
Plant Height
7-11 inches
Propagation: Seeds
Other info: can take many years for hyacinths to go from seeds to bloom, Start indoors
Detailed Information

The Dutch Hyacinth, specifically the ‘Delft Blue’ cultivar (Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Delft Blue’), has a slightly more complex origin than the name might suggest. Here’s the breakdown:

* **Species Origin (Hyacinthus orientalis):** The *species* Hyacinthus orientalis is native to the **eastern Mediterranean region**, specifically encompassing areas of **Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and parts of Iran and Iraq.**

* **’Delft Blue’ Cultivar Origin:** The ‘Delft Blue’ cultivar, like most modern hyacinths, was **developed and popularized in the Netherlands** (hence the “Dutch” in the name). Dutch breeders took the original *Hyacinthus orientalis* species and, through selective breeding over centuries, created a wide range of cultivars with different colors, flower forms, and other desirable traits. ‘Delft Blue’ is one such cultivar.

Therefore:

* **Native Region (Species):** Eastern Mediterranean (Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Iraq).
* **Origin of ‘Delft Blue’ Cultivar:** Developed in the Netherlands.

So, while the plant’s ancestors are from the Mediterranean, the specific ‘Delft Blue’ variety is a product of Dutch horticulture.

Suitable in 1 gallon, Suitable in 3 gallon or larger, Needs excellent drainage in pots