The other day when I pulled into the driveway and stepped from my car, I was overcome by the sweet perfume scent of Hyacinths. It’s a smell that I call intoxicating. In fact, I’ve referred to this scent as intoxicating so often and for so many years that it has become a sort of running joke between myself and Joe.
“Can you smell that?” I begin. “It’s . . . “
“I know, I know,” answers Joe. “It’s intoxicating.”
Now I’m thinking of breaking out of predictability with a new description for Hyacinth — and I’m going with Bulbalicious. I figure if the vernacular can work for Beyonce, why not Hyacinth?
While Hyacinth may be the headliner on the Spring stage, we mustn’t overlook the supporting bloomers. Afterall, we all know what happened to Diana Ross & the Supremes. Besides, these back-up harmonizers are all Bulbalicious in their own right.
Tulip — a little shy now, but emerging slowly.
What’s her name again? I’m not sure what to call this dainty flower, but she’s reliable.
Watch out for Muscari. With a name like that, she’s the vixen of the bunch, and she just might push Hyacinth out of the spotlight. In fact, I believe she’s exploring a film role as a tree in a Dr. Seuss movie.
At this time of year, I have all the drama and diva attitudes I can handle right in the garden. What’s that I hear? “And I am telling you, I’m not going. . . You’re gonna love me . . .”
Bulbalicious all the way.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Man 
I do love Spring, and am enjoying seeing the bulbs blooming, and stretching out into the sun. Lovely blog.
Amy,
Welcome and I’m glad you found me. Yes, spring is incredible. I love seeing the return of color to the garden. And while the winter was incredibly mild here, there’s nothing like the feel of the spring sun. Enjoy the day!
Beautiful! I love hyacinths – they are my favorite. I wonder why I haven’t planted any???
Well, now would be the time to get on that. 🙂 They are beautiful to look at, but the aroma is what draws me in. Happy planting.
Now is the time? I read somewhere that bulbs were supposed to be planted in the fall. That didn’t stop me from planting some free bulbs last month that I received free from my step daughter though.
You can purchase Hyacinths that are already in or are about to be in bloom. They’re everywhere right now, as retailers are gearing up for Easter. These can be planted in the ground now. As the weather warms, they’ll die back — just leave the leaves on the plant until they yellow and wither away. This is how the bulb gets its energy for next spring. In the fall, you can purchase bulbs — and fall is the best time to plant these. Whatever you do, enjoy digging in the dirt!
OH! Thank you so much – I will be buying some this weekend!
You’re very welcome. Have fun planting and be prepared for blooms in the years ahead!
Girlie would be smiling from ear to ear!!! She LOVED her hyacinths! Their fragrance is one that I absolutely adore! I wait and watch, as the days begin to warm, for the sight of the crocuses and hyacinths popping up through the earth – it’s my true sign that spring is quickly approaching!
Your photos are beautiful!!! And I love the comparison to the ‘divas’! Thanks for another great post!
🙂 Actually, some of the Hyacinths in the post are Girlie’s! I removed them from the patch of garden in front of her porch and transplanted them under the oak tree in the front yard. They keep on going!
I am intoxicated by hyacinths too, bright scent and sweet colors!
Elaine
It’s one of the nicest Spring experiences — the scent of Hyacinths carried on a soft breeze. It’s like nature’s very own air freshener.
Your hyacinths are just gorgeous. You are right the fragrance of them is intoxicating. Mine were gone too fast this spring because of the heat but the fragrance of them along the pathway was Bulblicious. I like that word. LOL!
Spring fragrances are fleeting — especially with this bizarre weather. Maybe the garden gurus can develop a summer blooming and a fall blooming variety and we can have months and months of Bulbaliciousness. Now there’s a word! 🙂
I call the scent heady, but as you say Bulbalicious fits so wear it!
Yes, heady is another great word to use for Hyacinths. Happy sniffing. 🙂
What a great word to use instead of intoxicating! I think you’ve been listening to the IPod while out in the garden? 🙂
Rest assured, if there is a way to have music in my life, I’ll find a way. 🙂
I can smell them from here…Love! Love! Love their scent!
I’m glad you can smell them where you are — because they still haven’t perfected that scratch and sniff computer. 🙂
We’re on a Missing-the-Mud Season trip south again this spring and are following the Natchez Trace Parkway. Originally travelers left the river port of Natchez and walked or rode a horse back to their farm in the hills of Tennessee or Kentucky or farther north, but we are using our Outback and road bikes to make the journey.
Wild flowers make every step into the woods delightful, and the red bud and dogwood along the open edge of the woods brighten the way. Today in Eudora Welty’s garden in Jackson, MI, the sweet peas, poppies, and roses were in bloom along with many others I didn’t recognize.
For me, this is the new year. My Muslim friends have just celebrated spring and the new year in one big holiday that seems just right. For gardeners and nature lovers, this is the beginning.
Sounds like an amazing and scenic journey — to see so much of the natural and manicured landscape coming to life at this time of year. By the way, there’s an interesting book about the restoration of Ms. Welty’s garden. Happy travels!
These are beautiful and I think I can smell them! I have planted hyacinths and tulips before, simply because I just adore them. Unfortunately, Southern California is just too warm, and if I get them to bloom (refrigerating the bulbs first) the poor dears only last about a day. I can’t do it to them (or me!) so I’ll enjoy yours. There is a wonderful tulip garden in Golden Gate Park San Francisco…I usually luxuriate there about once a year! Gorgeous photos, and I like Bulbalicious! Debra
Debra, no Hyacinths? That is sad. If only the fragrance could be bottled for you. 🙂
Wow! What beautiful photos! I can almost smell the hyacinths. Oh, maybe that’s the honeysuckle on the corner of my fence. That’s my current perfume of the garden. I’m glad you didn’t forget the supporting bloomers. Lovely post!
Beth, glad you liked the photos — and Honeysuckle is a fragrant treat. I still can’t figure out which I like more: the blooms that have to be inhaled close-up or the kind that are powerful enough to perfume an entire neighborhood. Either way, it’s a reminder to just breathe.
All the lovely colours of spring here in this post. Muscari are my favourite, that dark blue purple gets me every time. Growing hyacinths for the first time ever this year so hopefully soon I’ll get to smell them for myself.
Marguerite — Congratulations on joining the Hyacinth club. 🙂 May your blooms be colorful and bulbalicious. 🙂
Bodaciously delicious post, Kevin. Inspires me to try growing my bloomed-out house hyacinth in the ground.
Bodaciously bulbalicious! 🙂 Bring those Hyacinths outside and perfume the air. Be well!
I love Hyacinths even though their scent can be a bit overpowering in the house. I get a few forced ones every Christmas then plant them in the garden when flowering is over. They usually come up and flower again the following year.
I know. The scent can be sickening sweet inside — but outside is perfect. Just enough scent to make breathing easier.
Those photos are bulbalicious! (Did I spell that right?!?) LOL
Not only did you spell it correctly, but you even laughed about it. 🙂 Enjoy the day!
I love your blog titles. They always bring me a smile! I’m going to try to use “bulbalicious” in a sentence today and see if I get any weird reactions!
By the way, I nominated you for the Sunshine Award! http://outtakesontheoutskirts.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/getting-my-groove-back-by-giving-awards/
Julie. Thanks for your kind words and for the nomination. I’m working on my acceptance speech. 🙂