L’Innocence Hyacinth

Plant of the Week

BY: Elyse Lucas

The color white is often associated with innocence, but don’t let that fool you when it comes to L’Innocence hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis ‘L’Innocence’). This perky spring bulb is far from bashful in the garden. For nearly 150 years, L’Innocence has been reliably hardy and easy to please. Warm white blooms nestle above green strap-shaped leaves and tease the air with an intense fragrance. Not one to be a wallflower among your other spring bulbs, L’Innocence can reach a height of 12 inches.

Common name: L’Innocence hyacinth
Botanical name: Hyacinthus orientalis ‘L’Innocence’
Plant type: Bulb
Zones: 5 to 8a
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Family: Liliaceae

Growing conditions
• Sun: Full sun
• Soil: Organic, well-drained
• Moisture: Medium

Care
• Mulch: None needed.
• Pruning: None needed.
• Fertilizer: None needed.

Propagation
• Remove bulb offsets during dormancy.

Pests and diseases
• No major insect or disease problems, but may be prone to bulb rot or gray mold.

Garden notes
• L’Innocence may slow its flowering after the first year, so bulbs may need to be replaced every two years.
• Remove spent flowers immediately to discourage seed production.
• H. orientalis ‘L’Innocence’ is excellent in borders, beds, containers, rock gardens, and along walkways.
• L’Innocence is very easy to force. Store dry bulbs in a paper bag in your refrigerator for 8 to 10 weeks. Then put them on water in indirect sunlight. As they grow roots and leaves, allow them more light, but be sure to avoid direct sun.
• All parts of the plant may cause stomach upset if ingested, and contact with bulbs may aggregate skin allergies.

All in the family
• Hyacinths were first introduced to Europe in the mid 1500s. Two hundred years later, Dutch bulb merchants were offering 2,000 different varieties.
• Most hyacinths are native to the Mediterranean area, as well as South Africa, South America, and Central Asia.

Where to buy
• Old House Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI, 734-995-1486, www.oldhousegardens.com

(Text by Elyse Lucas, photo courtesy of Old House Gardens)

Comments

By btrout2320 Tuesday, November 15, 2011 11:39 AM

Not much point in promoting this flower or this vendor when all selections are SOLD OUT.

By katlentz Tuesday, November 15, 2011 1:19 PM

@btrout2320--It's too bad that they are sold out. I can tell you that Old House Gardens is one of the best companies I've ever dealt with when it comes to any kind of heirloom bulb. Please give them a chance to prove that to you. Even if you can't get this particular variety of hyacinth, there are many other gorgeous bulb plants that they sell, and they are well worth the money. I won't buy bulbs anywhere else!

By busygrdn Tuesday, November 15, 2011 3:41 PM

I agree katlentz, super good greenhouse outfit. Their e-newsletters are not so numerous as to be a bother, so I do advise signing up so that you get notice of end of season sales included in the knowledgeable e-letters.

By rafter1 Thursday, March 08, 2012 11:19 AM

I have 36 of these popping up in my front bed. It will pretty with the tulips on the out side edges!

By mcuerdas Wednesday, March 28, 2012 7:52 AM

I'm new to the club. And I thought that I will be given suggestions of what plants, flowers, and vegetables that grow well in zone 9. I am very interested in growing fragrant flowers for my front yard and vegetables in the back.

By busygrdn Wednesday, March 28, 2012 10:42 AM

May I suggest that you get catalogs from places like :
Old House Gardens & Bluestone perennials to gather info. about what will do well for your zone and conditions. Then if you wish to do the inexpensive, you could check seed catalogs. I wish you fun and good luck!