Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Hyacinthus orientalis 'City of Haarlem'
City of Haarlem Dutch Hyacinth
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Height
- 8 to 14 in
- Width
- 4 to 6 in
- Flower color
- Bright sunny yellow flower clusters on upright flower spikes
- Foliage color
- Medium green, narrow strap-shaped leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid spring
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate moisture
- Maintenance
- Low, remove spent flower stalks after bloom, allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally before removal
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees and other spring pollinators
About this plant
Hyacinthus orientalis 'City of Haarlem' produces dense, upright flower spikes filled with softly rounded florets in warm primrose-yellow tones that deepen slightly as the blooms mature. Blooming in mid spring, the flowers release a strong, sweet fragrance that carries easily through the garden. Glossy, strap-shaped green leaves form a compact base that supports the sturdy bloom stem.
Introduced in the late nineteenth century through Dutch bulb breeding, this historic cultivar remains popular in spring displays. It performs well in borders, containers, and mass plantings, where fragrance and gentle color brighten the season. The blooms are also well suited for indoor forcing and cut arrangements.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Under Trees · Woodland Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Tulips · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Forget-me-nots
Design tip
Spring bloom is its headline moment, and it reads best in a group rather than as a single plant. Drift them in uneven groups for a natural look, and interplant with perennials that fill the gap after the leaves die back.
