Plant it where it won't spread over pathways and snag people's clothes. Hyacinths Spring wouldn't be the same without the highly scented, brightly colored hyacinths in your garden. Wild Hyacinthus orientalis blooms in blue, bluish purple, and bluish white. The Dutch took the bulbs back to the Netherlands and have developed many brilliant colors including hot pink and orange. This is one bulb that the squirrels don't dig up to eat in the winter, possibly because of the irritating chemicals contained in the bulb.
Some people have to wear gloves while planting the bulbs in order to avoid a very itchy rash.
The bulbs are planted six inches deep and can remain in their location for years. They need at least 12 inches of well drained soil under the bulb since the roots grow about 12 inches deep. Hyacinth bulbs will flower inside in a hyacinth growing glass which keeps the base of the bulb just above water. This is a fascinating project for children and adults alike and will brighten a south facing window in the winter. The glasses are available in most nursery or garden stores near Christmas.