Hyacinthus 'Blue Pearl' is a superb prepared indoor hyacinth producing dense spikes of wonderfully fragrant, deep cobalt-blue flowers. Each star-shaped bloom has a subtle paler edge, giving the substantial flower spikes extra definition and making 'Blue Pearl' an impressive choice for winter colour indoors.

These specially prepared bulbs have been temperature-treated to encourage early flowering indoors and, with the right timing and growing conditions, can be brought into bloom around Christmas. Grow them in decorative bowls and pots or use traditional hyacinth vases for forcing the bulbs in water.

• Botanical name: Hyacinthus orientalis 'Blue Pearl'
• Common name: Prepared Hyacinth
• Plant type: Prepared spring-flowering bulb
• Flower colour: Deep cobalt-blue
• Flowering period: Winter when forced indoors
• Height: Approximately 25-30cm
• Spread: Approximately 10-15cm
• Fragrance: Strongly fragrant
• Position: Cool, bright position once brought into growth
• Ideal for: Indoor pots, bowls, Christmas displays and hyacinth vases

About Hyacinthus 'Blue Pearl'

'Blue Pearl' combines the wonderful fragrance of a traditional hyacinth with particularly rich flower colour. Numerous small, star-shaped flowers are packed closely together to form a substantial spike of deep blue blooms above broad, glossy green leaves.

It is particularly effective planted as a group in a shallow bowl, where several bulbs flowering together produce a mass of colour and fragrance. The relatively compact habit also makes 'Blue Pearl' easy to accommodate on windowsills, tables and other bright positions around the home.

What Is a Prepared Hyacinth?

Prepared hyacinths are bulbs which have received special temperature treatment to encourage them to flower considerably earlier than hyacinths planted normally outdoors. This makes them ideal for forcing indoors during winter.

With careful timing, prepared 'Blue Pearl' bulbs can produce flowers around Christmas. Flowering dates are influenced by planting time, temperature and growing conditions, so an exact Christmas flowering date cannot be guaranteed.

How to Plant Prepared Hyacinth 'Blue Pearl' Bulbs

Plant the bulbs in September soon after receiving them. Use a suitable bulb compost or free-draining multipurpose compost and position the bulbs fairly shallowly. Leave the top of each bulb and its growing tip visible above the compost.

Several bulbs can be planted together for a fuller display. They can be positioned fairly closely in a bowl, but avoid allowing the bulbs themselves to touch.

Water after planting so that the compost is evenly moist but not saturated.

Forcing Hyacinths for Christmas

After planting, place the container somewhere cool and dark. This initial period allows the bulbs to develop a strong root system before the leaves and flowers are encouraged into growth.

For Christmas flowering, containers can usually be brought into the light around the beginning of December once they are well rooted and showing suitable growth. Initially place them somewhere cool with good natural light. As the flower spikes develop, they can be moved to their final display position.

Avoid placing flowering hyacinths immediately beside a radiator or other strong heat source. Cooler conditions generally help the flowers last longer.

Growing Hyacinth 'Blue Pearl' in Water

Prepared 'Blue Pearl' bulbs can also be grown in traditional hyacinth forcing vases. Fill the vase with water so that the water level sits immediately below the base of the bulb. The bulb itself should not sit in the water.

Roots will develop downwards into the water while the bulb remains supported above it. Keep the vase somewhere cool and dark during the initial rooting stage before gradually introducing it to light as growth develops.

Height and Spread

Hyacinthus 'Blue Pearl' grows to approximately 25-30cm tall when flowering, with an individual plant spreading approximately 10-15cm. Several bulbs can be grouped closely together to create a much broader display.

Why Grow Hyacinthus 'Blue Pearl'?

• Rich, deep cobalt-blue flowers
• Wonderful traditional hyacinth fragrance
• Prepared specifically for early indoor flowering
• Can be grown for a Christmas display
• Excellent for decorative bowls and containers
• Suitable for traditional forcing in water
• Compact enough for windowsills and table displays

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a prepared Hyacinth 'Blue Pearl' bulb?
A prepared bulb has been specially temperature treated to encourage earlier flowering than a normally grown outdoor hyacinth. It is intended primarily for forcing indoors during winter.

Will Hyacinth 'Blue Pearl' flower at Christmas?
Prepared bulbs can be grown to flower around Christmas, although the precise flowering date depends on planting time and the temperatures they experience during rooting and growth.

What colour is Hyacinth 'Blue Pearl'?
It produces densely packed, deep cobalt-blue flowers with subtly paler edges.

Is Hyacinth 'Blue Pearl' scented?
Yes. 'Blue Pearl' has the strong, sweet fragrance for which hyacinths are particularly prized.

How tall does Hyacinth 'Blue Pearl' grow?
The flowering plants usually reach approximately 25-30cm tall.

What is its spread?
An individual bulb produces a plant approximately 10-15cm across, although bulbs are often planted in groups to create a larger display.

Can I grow prepared hyacinths without compost?
Yes. They can be forced in a specialist hyacinth vase with the base of the bulb positioned just above the water. The developing roots then grow down into the water below.

Should prepared hyacinths be kept in the dark?
They benefit from an initial cool, dark rooting period after planting. Once sufficiently rooted and growing, they can be brought gradually into a cool, bright position to develop their flowers.

Combining intense blue flowers with one of the most recognisable fragrances of winter, Hyacinthus 'Blue Pearl' is an excellent prepared hyacinth for bringing colour and scent into the home during the darkest part of the year.