Greenly Garden

When to plant hyacinths in Dunedin: 22 April – end of June

In Dunedin, hyacinth: plant from 22 April to the end of June. For planting stock, the places nearby include Wal's Plant Land (garden centre, 13 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Hyacinth in Dunedin: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in July, average 2.3 °C.

Planting22 April – end of June
First autumn frost22 May
Coldest nightsJuly, 2.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of July
Daylight10:28 on 22 April
Daylight at the winter solstice8:39

The same dates in Dunedin hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Crocus.

Hyacinth in Dunedin: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant hyacinths 10 cm deep, at least 7.5 cm apart (RHS).

In Dunedin the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 12–15 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Flowers get smaller in the years after planting: for full spikes, replace the bulbs or add a few new ones each autumn (RHS).

If squirrels are a problem, protect the bulbs with wire mesh (RHS). Hyacinths are toxic to dogs, cats and horses: intense vomiting and diarrhoea (ASPCA).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, ASPCA.

Hyacinth in nearby cities

Around Dunedin, Queenstown is 2 days earlier and Nelson 30 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Queenstown171 km20 April – end of June2 days earlier
Timaru175 kmby 5 May13 days later
Invercargill176 kmby 9 May17 days later
Christchurch310 kmby 6 May14 days later
Nelson558 kmby 22 May30 days later
Blenheim559 kmby 1 May9 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Dunedin

Planting stock goes into the ground from 22 April to the end of June; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Dunedin OpenStreetMap lists 2 garden centres and 1 market (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Dunedin?

In Dunedin, hyacinth: plant from 22 April to the end of June. Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

When is the last spring frost in Dunedin?

Last spring frost around 26 October, first autumn frost around 22 May.

Other crops in Dunedin, with their dates