Hyacinth Bulbs in Vintage Containers

(This is a sponsored post in association with Swiftcover.  All views and opinions are my own!)

Hello everyone!

So, here’s my second #SwiftHomeHacks post, sharing my hints and tips of ways to make beautiful decorations for your home on a budget!  I was so happy when the lovely folks at Swiftcover asked me to share my #SwiftHomeHacks, as making a gorgeous home whilst watching the purse strings is a subject very close to my heart.  You can see my first post here, 5 Ways to Upcycle Vintage Lace Tablecloths.

There are a few ways you can add instant warmth and cosiness to a home.  Fairy lights and soft candle light add soft ambience, and the other thing I love to decorate my home with are all things floral.  There’s something so festive about the humble hyacinth bulb, especially when planted in vintage containers.  I style up my mantelpiece with them, and add tea lights in in old baking tins for added prettiness, or I use them as a table centrepiece if I have friends for supper.  The bright green of the hyacinth shoot is a welcome sight on dark and dreary winter days, and looks so lovely planted in a colourful container.  Plus it smells divine when it flowers.   Plant a few up to dot around your house, they make lovely last minute gifts too!

Hunt in charity shops for vintage vessels in bright colours, or look in vintage markets for pretty tins – you can plant your bulbs in anything that takes your fancy.  All the vessels you see in these pictures were picked up at car boot fairs and in charity shops, for a pound or so each.  Last year I planted some in old metal jelly moulds which looked really lovely.  I bought these hyacinth bulbs from my local market, they were £2 for a pot of three, most flower stalls or garden centres sell them at this time of year.  I carefully separated the bulbs taking care not to tear the roots too much, and planted them in my vessel with a little compost around the edge.  I love to add a layer of green moss around the base of my bulb, to hide the soil.  You can buy bags of moss on eBay, floral supply shops, or find it for free in your garden.  (Although I grumble about my mossy lawn in the summer, I love to use it in the winter for wreaths and floral displays!)

If you’re making one as a gift, why not add a luggage label with some brightly coloured ribbon or twine?

We would love to see your makes, so please do share them on social media using #SwiftHomeHacks!

Tamsyn x