Hyacinthus orientalis 'Alba'

Perennial bulbous plant of the Asparagaceae family, Hyacinthus orientalis is native to the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean, from the coasts of Turkey to Syria and Lebanon, where it grows in rocky scrublands, well-drained stony slopes, and dry meadows. The wild form, much more slender than the horticultural cultivars, gave rise as early as the 16th century to a considerable lineage of garden varieties, of which 'Alba' is one of the oldest and purest.

The cultivar reaches 20 to 30 cm in height. The leaves are channeled, upright, with a bright and shiny green, framing a fleshy and robust floral stem. The cluster is dense, tight, bearing numerous tubular flowers with reflexed and wavy tepals, of a pure white slightly tinged with cream green at emergence, then truly white at full bloom. The fragrance is powerful, enveloping, characteristic of the genus — one of the most intense among spring bulbous plants.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from March to April. In cultivation under temperate climate, it blooms in March-April depending on exposure and altitude.

It thrives in any well-drained, rather rich soil, in full sun. The bulbs are planted in autumn. Over the years, the clusters tend to lighten and lose the density of the first blooms, which is perceived by some enthusiasts as a welcome return to a more natural and graceful habit.