Don’t forget Hyacinths, the bulbs with the big perfume, and an alluring history.
The “other” major bulb for spring glory is the Hyacinth. It was made famous by Madame Pompadour, Louis XV’s favorite mistress at Versailles from 1741 until her death. As history tells us, she was a woman who knew how to get men’s attention. From childhood, her mother schooled her to become the King’s mistress, and she did even better than that. After a few years with him, she was serving as the unnamed Prime Minister of France.
Hyacinths weren’t particularly popular until the Madame came along. After conferring with some flower sellers from Holland, she used their fragrance like a weapon at court, attracting fresh new attention (for herself) each spring. She had them in arrangements in every room of the palace, and everyone swooned over the sweet scent. Ever since then, they’ve been one of the world’s standards for floral fragrance.
Even one hyacinth in a vase spreads perfume like a lily or gardenia. So don’t miss it. Plant yours close to a window or door, and you’ll love them.
There are now a great choice of colors, or plant the mix for them all.