Excitement in the indoor garden


Normally, at this time of year, I would be posting about houseplants and tazettas, and I am. But rarely would I expect to have hyacinths starting to bloom indoors. Yet, that is exactly what’s happening.


These (top and above, left) are the Prince of Love hyacinths from Brent & Becky’s. (I always include vendors because different vendors often have different names for the various cultivars.) I have never had hyacinths blooming before February before, but these are producing big pale pink buds and the stalks are coming from everywhere on the bulbs (which are huge), including the bottom. I noticed how unusual these bulbs were when I received them and was concerned to see all the bottom sprouting, but as long as they bloom elsewhere, it’s fine with me.

Avalanche
Just as all tazettas are not created equal (people just think paperwhites, but there are so many types, including double, orange, and yellow), hyacinths have a lot of variety. Some bloom earlier than others, some have shorter stems, some are doubles, some have loose, single flowers. And that is what makes them fun, and why I always prefer named cultivars over a generic bag of whatever.

Golden Rain
The tazettas I have in bloom now are Erlicheer, Avalanche, and Golden Rain. Erlicheer is a gorgeous white double, Golden Rain is a yellow double, and Avalanche is a really strong-blooming single. None of them have the strong fragrance associated with paperwhites; Erlicheer and Avalanche smell more like traditional daffodils.
Erlicheer


Elsewhere, the zygocactus are over for the season, but I have lots of action coming from my cyclamen and African violets. I am also hoping for some blooms from the dendrobium orchids in February. I have a feeling that a lot of the flowers will be indoors on this GBBD; winter did not spare our friends in the south, and I’ll be interested to read about how their gardens are looking.

Comments

Darla said…
I bet the fragrance is divine! My gardens are sad..sad..sad...worst January blooms in a long time.
Unknown said…
Yeah for hyacinths already! I see nice big flower buds on a couple of mine, and expect one will bloom in a week or two, while others are more shy. I can't wait. Thank the gods for indoor blooms in winter.
I continue to be impressed with anyone having blooming cyclamen indoors!
Annie in Austin said…
The fragrance is what I thought of first too, EAL - and second thought was a wish I'd started a few hyacinths indoors in beautiful blue glass like yours.

Happy Blooming Day!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose
It's always a joy to see Hyacinths in bloom. I'm excited to see your orchids progress! Happy GBBD.
Paul H. said…
Great cyclamens..I'm already itching to start cutting forsythia for forcing.
Beautiful indoors blooms! I've got to put 'Avalanche' on my list for next year, it appears to be what I've been looking for.
Elizabeth, I always learn something new from your indoor garden bulb writings. Thank you and Happy Bloom Day.~~Dee
Rose said…
What gorgeous blooms you have, Elizabeth! The tazettas are beautiful and just scream spring to me.

I have to thank you for your excellent tutorial on forcing bulbs earlier this year. Thanks to you, I now have some tulips sprouting, whereas last year I had duds. Next year I'm going to order some tazettas and definitely put hyacinth vases on my Christmas list!
MA said…
Gorgeous and well worth the wait.
Amazing what a little water, sun and a fat little bulb will give you. Happy GBBD.
Carol Michel said…
Wow, hyacinths blooming in January already. Those bulbs are unusual.
Anonymous said…
I'd almost rather be intoxicated than to try to keep things flowering inside. My indoor garden is green, except for when the Christmas cactus or euphorbia decide to flower, and I don't help with that at all.

In my view, inside flowers shouldn't count for GBBD. But then, my view is often obscured.
Ooh, I just love all those blooms. How fortunate for you to see those hyacinths so early. I guess I'm one of those that didn't realize there were so many varieties of tazettas. I especially like your Avalanche.
Cindy, MCOK said…
I planted out some Avalanche and Erlicheer from B&B since they'll naturalize down here in my part of Texas. I hope they're as lovely as yours!
Layanee said…
My chilling period is satisfied so now it is time to pull them out of the drawer in the fridge. Thanks for the reminder. The fragrance of spring will be welcome.
Kathy said…
I'll have to remember Prince of Love for next year.
Kerri said…
How lucky you are to have hyacinth blooms starting already! I must try some next year, and some different Tarzettas.
My lovely cyclamen from last year finally gave up the ghost so I'm on the lookout for a new one. They're such a welcome sight during these long winter months.
Unknown said…
You know what's great about indoor gardens? No pests! I know it's still too early for outdoor gardening, but what do you use for pest control? I've been using the organic Safer Brand insect killer since I don't want nasty chemicals sprayed on my food. Here's the link for those organic buffs like me: http://www.saferbrand.com/store/garden-care/5102 Anyone use another organic pesticide?

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