When to plant hyacinths in Lyon: 26 October – end of December

In Lyon, hyacinth: plant from 26 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Voie Verte (farm shop, 2 km) and Mas-Rillier Nos Saveurs (farm shop, 12 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 Lyon: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 0.6 °C.

Planting	26 October – end of December
First autumn frost	25 November
Coldest nights	January, 0.6 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	10:26 on 26 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:40

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

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

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

In Lyon the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 21 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant hyacinth earlier than Lyon; the closest date is in Valence, 4 days earlier.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Saint-Étienne	50 km	18 October – end of December	8 days earlier
Valence	92 km	22 October – end of December	4 days earlier
Grenoble	93 km	25 September – 1 December	31 days earlier
Annecy	101 km	15 October – end of December	11 days earlier
Geneva	112 km	18 October – end of December	8 days earlier
Clermont-Ferrand	137 km	13 October – end of December	13 days earlier

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Lyon

Planting stock goes into the ground from 26 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Lyon OpenStreetMap lists 43 garden centres, 4 farm-supply shops, 3 plant nurseries, 65 markets and 33 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Mas-Rillier Nos Saveurs — farm shop
Route du Plateau 347, 01700 · Mon–Tue, Fri 09:00–12:00, 15:00–18:30; Wed 09:00–12:00; Thu 15:00–18:30; Sat 09:00–12:00, 13:30–15:00 · 12 km
Pré Délissieu — farm shop
Route de Marcilly 30, 69380 Lissieu · Wed–Sat 09:00–19:00 · 14 km
Voie Verte — farm shop
Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30; Sat 08:00–13:00 · 2 km · voieverte.fr
Halle de la Martinière — market
1 km · hallesmartiniere.fr
La Ferme de Miribel — farm supply
11 km
Domaine de Chapelan — plant nursery
11 km · chapelan.com
Roseraie Historique — plant nursery
2 km
Pépinière du Parc de Parilly — plant nursery
6 km

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