A gaggle of hyacinths

There are mature buds on all the tulips, so I thought it best to document the forced hyacinths before they begin to go. The ones in forcing vases (below) are mostly done-they do not last as long-but the Isabelle (blue) and Raphael (pink) in pots are still developing. As I've mentioned before, I am fascinated by the differences between them. We tend to think of the traditional Dutch hyacinths as a generic group, but everything about them varies.


The Isabelles (blue) have huge, heavy flower heads, so much so that their tallest stalks will not hold them, and I've cut them to put in vases. The Carnegies (white) have much fewer florets, but on the other hand, they stand up in their forcing vases with no problem. The Raphaels (pink) are the weirdest, and latest, with shaggy petals, black centers, and an inexorable need to go pointing off in all directions.

Maybe next year, I'll pick cultivars that are easier to deal with, forcing-wise, but I am enjoying these. I'd hate them if they were in the garden though! They'd likely all have to be staked and how ridiculous would that be.