Heady hyacinths

Prized for their richly fragrant flowers, in shades of red, pink, orange, salmon, yellow, purple, white and blue, hyacinths are easy to grow – and, if you buy specially ‘treated’ bulbs, they can be forced into flower early. Plant several bulbs in pots as early as possible, and they will open reliably by 25 December.

Put them in a dark, cool place, or cover them loosely with a black bin bag, if necessary, to exclude any light. When the shoots are 4-5cm long, bring the pots into the light in readiness for flowering. Single bulbs can be grown in glass hyacinth vases filled with water.