Hyacinths Inside, Hyacinths Outside

I don't know why I went through all this chilling and planting up in stones and water and a few hyacinths in pots of soil. They're blooming outside at the same time as inside, at least China Pink is.

Hyacinths in mixed colors.

Ike, greenhouse supervisor

China Pink, here for at least three years.

Hyacinths are fairly long-lasting in my garden.

China Pink

You can have hyacinths blooming for a weeks outside by planting early and late cultivars. China Pink is one of the earliest. Top Hit is one of the latest. Except for China Pink, they're all waiting below ground to show themselves later in the season.  

Next year's plan is hyacinths in pots of soil, chilled bulbs. This year's bulbs will go out in the garden when bloom is finished. Sometimes they need a year to recover from forcing, which is why I am giving up water and stones as a planting medium. Planted in soil, they should not notice the transition to the garden after bloom.

And just for fun, here's the first peek at a potted tulip. Can you tell the color is purple?

Flowers and text are from the garden of Nell Jean blogged on Dotty Plants Journal in warm, humid Southwest Georgia.