Hyacinth

For my birthday, my friend gave me a hyacinth bulb and forcing jar.  I started the bulb on New Years Day, along with some paper white bulbs.  The paper whites grew fast and bloomed and are on their way to demise.  The hyacinth bulb grew so very slowly, but it’s now in full bloom, and I love the purple flowers.  Last year was the first year I had ever forced bulbs in the winter, and I have fallen in love with the process.  It is so fun to watch the roots grow from the bulb, and then the stem begin to emerge, leaves and then flower buds and finally, TA DA!  Flowers in the winter.  They brighten my February considerably, because everything outside has been grey and cloudy.  Even the snow needs refreshing.