In Greek mythology, Hyacinth was a young man admired by Apollo and Zephyr, but killed by a discus in a jealous fight between the two gods; a flower was allegedly named after him when it sprang from his blood.

However, Theophrastus describes both a cultivated and a wild plant called ὑάκινθος (hyakinthos), neither of which are considered to be the modern hyacinth.

In nature, this method is also used by the hyacinth, but the plant also has a specific kind of reproduction by seeds.

It flowers in the early spring, growing best in full sun to part shade in well-drained, but not dry, soil.

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-[5] Hyacinths are among the most popular bulbs selected for the process known as forcing, whereby plants are induced to flower earlier than their natural season (in this case, Christmas).

It involves depriving bulbs of light and warmth for a period of several weeks, before growing them on in a bright, cool place such as a kitchen windowsill.