Alphabethursday … H is for Hyacinth or the Hyacinthoides non-scripta

or even Hyacinthus orientalis ot Dutch hyacinths

Since the advent of Christmas I have enjoyed two bowls and three vases of [Dutch] hyacinths. They have languished, exuding  rich perfume in my dining room and lounge.  I ‘planted’ them in October some in soil and others in water and placed them a dark place for about six weeks.  

I was not my intention until then not to ‘celebrate’ Christmas; but it seemed right, they were all  the ‘bling’ I needed last year.  

So each day I watched and enjoyed their increasing beauty until well after epiphany and they are still going strong.  Even the dying blooms have a bewitching elegance. In time they will be removed to a sunny bed in the garden to give me an ongoing reminder of my Christmas without bling and the blessing they bought.  

I am not a botanist; and assume that the common bluebell  (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) although looks a little like the hyacinth orientalis (common, Dutch)  in its natural form are not related.  Although I enjoy the hyacinths in their magnificence it is when they have been in the garden a year or two and they return to their original form I like them best.   

From Pictures of our countries flowers and how to know them by W.J. Gordon 1891