As Jo in Little Women might have said, January wouldn't be January without any hyacinths.
Mine never seem to coincide with Christmas. The bulbs I have forced in vases in a dark porch are only just beginning to flower now. But actually I really like this. Hyacinths are definitely more January than December, with their freshness of colour and scent and vivid green leaves. They are easy to grow in jars and bowls (although the Provincial Lady doesn't quite manage it) and the flowers are something to look forward to in the new year when they look particularly good with a backdrop of wind, rain and snow.
[Hyacinths Mary Ethel Hunter (1872-1947), Salford Art Gallery]
It would be a wonderful thing if art galleries brought out paintings of January flowers and displayed them for the month. They wouldn't have to upset the main display - they could be by the lockers or in the cafe or entrance hall, somewhere they could brighten a day and act as reminders that January is not totally flowerless and cheerless.
[Hyacinths Sally Ryan (1916-1968), The New Art Gallery, Walsall]
I have no idea if this lovely Sally Ryan painting is out (I know the Salford one isn't - they are sticking to a very dour display), but if I were visiting Walsall I would very much want to see it.
[Blue Hyacinths in a Winter Landscape 1950s, Winifred Nicholson (1893-1981)]
And I'm not sure who owns these blue hyacinths , but anybody who gets to see them every day in January is very lucky indeed.
I buy my prepared hyacinth bulbs from Peter Nyssen and start them off in November. But now is a good time to buy forced hyacinth bulbs in pots very cheaply in garden centres. They require no special care, the plastic pots can be easily hidden in bowls, and they last for quite a while.
As a longtime sufferer of hyacinth itch, I am able to love these beauties from a safe distance only. Thank you for such beautiful colors! Take care, Byrd
Posted by: Byrd | January 06, 2014 at 17:33
I love hyacinths - beautiful photo!
Posted by: Nikki | January 06, 2014 at 19:12
I love them and was looking to buy some today as I've not been organised to buy/ plant any in Nov. Thnak you
Posted by: Rachel | January 06, 2014 at 19:18
Mine are not doing very well, no growth in the last month :( still, they'll flower eventually, and they'll be lovely when they do!
Posted by: Star Speckles | January 06, 2014 at 21:29
Mmm, I can imagine the scent!
Posted by: Geraldine | January 06, 2014 at 22:29
I am indeed going to do just that! Will go along to my garden centre this weekend. Love hyacinths and agree about galleries displaying flower paintings at this time of year!
Posted by: adele geras | January 07, 2014 at 12:19
Mine all came out together. Three in a pot as a present. All the same beautiful bluey purple. But the scent was very over powering and drifted around the house into every corner!
Posted by: alisonb2 | January 07, 2014 at 17:41
What a splendid idea about seasonal art - there must be hundreds of pices of work languishing in provincial galleries and store rooms for lack of wall space. What joy those little pieces would bring when glimpsed in an informal setting.
Hyacinths. I wonder if I'm the only person who finds their scent overpowering? I'm happy to admire on canvas or at a distance.
Posted by: Felicity Bevan | January 07, 2014 at 17:49
Felicity I know you're not the only person who finds the scent too much - I had to take a pot of them out of my room at work as some people told me the smell gave them a headache and others that it smelt like infected urine (I'm a GP).
Posted by: Chloe | January 08, 2014 at 14:02