Next in our “What’s Blooming” series: Hyacinth. These perennial spring bulbs first make their appearance as long, narrow leaves that are folded lengthwise. Once the buds mature, they pop as highly fragrant flowers that bloom in dense clusters of a wide range of colors: peach, orange, salmon, yellow, pink, red, purple, lavender and blue. The flowering spikes can be as short as 6 inches or grow to a leggy foot tall. They can be planted indoors and out, making them a favored gift in the spring. These blooms are also used in springtime cut flower arrangements.
Hyacinths bear the name of a beautiful youth loved by both the god Apollo and the West Wind, Zephy Greek mythology. One telling outlines Hyacinth’s passing as an accident. In an attempt to impress Apollo, Hyacinth ran to catch a discus thrown by the god, but he was struck by the disc and died. Another version of the tale marks Zephyrus as responsible for the death of the namesake. Apparently Hyacinth’s beauty caused a feud between Zephyrus and Apollo. Jealous that Hyacinth preferred the archery god Apollo, Zephyrus purposely blew Apollo's discus off course to injure Hyacinth. Either way, Apollo did not allow Hades to claim Hyacinth. Instead, the god made a flower from Hyacinth's spilled blood. (pseudo-Apollodorus, i. 3.3., Lucian,Dialogues of the Gods; Servius, commentary on Virgil Eclogue iii. 63; Philostratus, Imagines i.24; Ovid Metamorphoses x. 184)
{Muscari}
Two for one today! Closely related to the Hyacinth is the Muscari, or grape hyacinths. These low, blue or white flowered plants appear similar in appearance to hyacinths in their bud form. They are also commonly cultivated in gardens for spring bloom and their delicate appearance makes them a perfect compliment in a cut bouquet.
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