Hyacinth Sweetheart Blend (Pack of 5 Bulbs)

Hyacinth Sweetheart Blend (Pack of 5 Bulbs) (Hyacinthus orientalis) Please Note: These bulbs cannot be shipped to Western Australia or Tasmania due to biosecurity restrictions. Add a sweep of romantic colour to your spring garden with Hyacinth Sweetheart Blend, a curated selection of pink-toned Dutch hyacinths designed to create a harmonious, dreamy display. This blend brings together soft candy pink and deeper rose shades in densely packed flower spikes that are as richly fragrant as they are beautiful. Plant them in clusters along garden paths, mass them in decorative pots on a patio or scatter them through cottage garden beds, and you will be rewarded with weeks of colour and an intoxicating sweet perfume that drifts through the garden in early to mid spring. Sweetheart Blend captures the essence of spring romance with its bicolour florets, where lighter pink petals contrast with deeper rose-pink centres to create a candy-like effect. Each bulb sends up a sturdy, upright stem crowned with a dense cylindrical spike of star-shaped, bell-like flowers. The glossy, strap-shaped leaves form a neat rosette that provides an attractive green frame for the blooms. This blend is ideal for mixed containers, garden borders, indoor forcing and fresh-cut flower arrangements that fill a room with fragrance. Product Highlights • Bulb count: 5 per pack • Flower colours: Soft candy pink and deeper rose-pink tones • Plant height: 20 to 25 cm • Bloom time: August to September (mid spring) • Naturalising: Limited, flowering may diminish over time • Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade • Soil type: Moderately fertile, well-drained soil • Frost tolerance: Frost hardy once established in the ground Planting Instructions Plant Hyacinth Sweetheart Blend bulbs in autumn from March onwards so roots can establish before winter sets in. Select a spot that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained soil. Prepare the planting area by loosening soil to a depth of 15 to 20 cm, working in compost or aged organic matter to improve both drainage and fertility. Plant each bulb pointed end up at a depth of 10 to 12 cm, spacing them 12 to 15 cm apart. For a more natural look, stagger the bulbs in informal drifts rather than rigid rows. In warmer climates, refrigerate bulbs for six weeks before planting to provide the cold period they need. Store away from ethylene-producing fruits during chilling. Watering and Care Water well after planting, then reduce watering until foliage begins to emerge unless the soil is very dry. Once growth is actively underway and flower buds are developing, maintain even moisture without allowing the soil to become waterlogged. Hyacinths are prone to bulb rot in heavy, poorly drained soils. Feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser at planting time and again when shoots appear in early spring. A thin layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture and insulates the bulbs during cold snaps. Pruning Advice Snip off the flower spike at its base once all the blooms have faded. This prevents energy being wasted on seed production and redirects nutrients back to the bulb. Leave the green foliage in place and allow it to yellow and die back naturally over six to eight weeks. The leaves continue to photosynthesise during this period, replenishing the bulb for the following season. Avoid cutting, tying or braiding the foliage before it has fully withered. Climate Zone Guide Cool and Alpine (ACT, VIC Highlands, NSW Tablelands): Best results. Cold winters deliver the natural dormancy hyacinths need for strong, reliable spring blooms. Temperate (Melbourne, Adelaide, coastal NSW): Excellent performance with consistent flowering. A well-drained, sunny position produces the best display. Subtropical (Brisbane, coastal QLD): Pre-chilling is essential. Refrigerate bulbs for six weeks before planting and treat as annuals for best results. Tropical and Arid (Darwin, Far North QLD): Not recommended without extended cold treatment. Hyacinths struggle where winter temperatures do not regularly drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Important Warnings All parts of the Hyacinth plant, including bulbs, stems, leaves and flowers, are toxic if ingested by humans, dogs, cats and livestock. Keep bulbs stored safely away from children and pets. Wear gloves when handling bulbs as the sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Do not plant near vegetable gardens where accidental ingestion is a risk. If ingestion occurs, seek medical or veterinary advice immediately.