Hyacinthoides

Cultivation : The Hyacinthoides are very easily grown. They require a well-drained soil and they do well both in full sun and also in partial shade. The bulbs are planted about 3 to 4 inches deep, spacing about 4 to 6 inches between the bulbs. They are also good options, when decided to grow in containers. Their water needs are average and therefore it should be taken care that they must be watered regularly, at the same time they are not overwatered. The Hyacinthoides naturalizes well in areas of its needs. They can be naturalized both by planting the offsets and also by self-seeding. They are capable to withstand drought during the summer, as they are dormant during the summer. Providing bone meal for them at the times of transplantation may bring good results. At times they can become a noxious weed and they multiply vigorously and therefore they can even grow up in unwanted areas too. Therefore it must be taken care in these aspects.

Propagation : The propagation methods of Hyacinthoides include propagation through seeds and also by planting offsets, tubers, rhizomes and the bulbs. Both the methods are easy and yield good results. The propagation through seeds includes the following steps. At first the pods are allowed to dry on the plant and the seeds are collected when they break and open. The collected seeds can be cleaned and stored. These seeds are sown in well drained moist soil for cultivation. In the other method, the offsets are divided from the plant and planted in well-drained soil of about 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. Then they are watered regularly. The method of propagation through offsets is followed widely, though both the methods are easy. Moreover they are capable of self seeding and they naturally have an ability of self propagation. Due to this they multiply themselves and grow a lot in the areas, where they grow. Thus they color the woodlands in blue, by their flowers, growing vigorously.

Varieties : The genus of Hyacinthoides do not consist a lot of varieties in them. There are mainly three species coming under this genus. They are Hyacinthoides hispanica, commonly known as the Spanish bluebell, occurs in Southwest Europe; Hyacinthoides italica, commonly known as Italian Bluebell, that occurs in South central Europe; Hyacinthoides non-scripta, commonly known as Common Bluebell, occurs in Northwest Europe. As said earlier, they are quite similar with the genus of Scilla and sometimes they are included within this. There are some varieties that come under this aspect. They are Hyacinthoides lingulata and Hyacinthoides reverchonii. The Hyacinthoides lingulata is also known as Scilla lingulata and the Hyacinthoides reverchonii is also known as Scilla reverchonii. Both of them are included in both the genus. Though the varieties under this genus are few, all of them are cultivated and in use in various areas.

Disease and Cure : These plants are not prone to any serious disease or pest attacks. Therefore it may be said that, they do not demand any special care. They can also be grown in combinations with any other bulbs, flowering in the spring. At times they can become noxious and therefore it may affect others also. Sometimes they are attacked by some pests like, beetles and other insects, though they can be neglected. It is quite good to throw some bone meal deeply inside the soil during the time of transplantation. It is thought that the bone meal would burn the roots, but it is not so. They are actually good boosters in fact. Moreover they are also good for both the soil and the plant.

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