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Hyacinths RHS Award of Garden Merit Toxic

Hyacinthus 'Carnegie'

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Carnegie'

A pure white hyacinth producing elegant dense flower spikes with a sweet clean fragrance. Flowers in March and April. One of the finest white hyacinths for borders and containers. Classic partner for blue and pink varieties. Excellent for indoor forcing for Christmas display.

Hyacinthus 'Carnegie' (Hyacinthus orientalis 'Carnegie') in bloom

Where to plant

Best aspect

South-facingEast-facingWest-facing

Border position

Front of borderMiddle of border

When to plant and expect flowers

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
🌱
🌱
🌱

Plant

🌸
🌸

Flowers

How to grow hyacinthus 'carnegie'

Plant 10cm deep in October or November. For the largest flowers, buy 'prepared' bulbs for indoor forcing. In borders, flower size decreases after the first year but plants become more natural-looking. Wear gloves when handling bulbs as they can cause skin irritation.

Soil requirements

Soil type

loam, sand, chalk

Moisture

well drained

pH

neutral, alkaline

Aftercare

Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering. Remove spent flower heads to prevent self-seeding.

Propagation

  • Offsets in autumn
  • Seed

Wildlife value

🐝 Attracts bees

Toxicity

Contains oxalic acid. Bulbs cause skin irritation (hyacinth itch). Ingestion causes nausea and vomiting.

🐱 Toxic to cats
🐶 Toxic to dogs
🐴 Toxic to horses
👤 Toxic to humans

Common problems

  • Hyacinth itch (skin irritation from handling)
  • Grey mould (Botrytis)
  • Bulb rot in wet soil
  • Flower size declines after first year

Similar bulbs to grow

Tulips

Tulipa 'White Triumphator'

Tulipa 'White Triumphator'
Daffodils

Narcissus 'Mount Hood'

Narcissus 'Mount Hood'
Grape Hyacinths

Muscari latifolium

Muscari latifolium
Crocuses

Crocus sieberi

Crocus sieberi
Alliums

Allium nigrum

Allium nigrum

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