A wide range of color, an alluring scent, and easy flowering make the hyacinth an extremely popular spring-flowering bulb . Like many of the spring bulbs, the hyacinth originated in the Mediterranean region. Hyacinths were imported to bulb-crazy Holland over 400 years ago, where (like tulips) they were a hot commodity for bulb speculators in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Hyacinth bulbs produce stiff, upright plants of about 8 to 12 inches in height, although the double varieties tend to be a bit smaller. Hyacinth flowers range from blue, lavender and white to warmer colors like red, orange, pink and yellow. If you're planting the bulbs for your spring garden , hyacinths look best in clumps rather than in orderly rows. They are also perfect, beautifully scented houseplants , ideal for indoor forcing.

• Tulips
• Irises
• Daffodils or Narcissi
• Crocuses
• Hyacinths