When to plant hyacinths in Poitiers: 20 October – end of December

In Poitiers, hyacinth: plant from 20 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Jardiland (garden centre, 2 km) and Truffaut (garden centre, 5 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 Poitiers: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2.5 °C.

Planting	20 October – end of December
First autumn frost	19 November
Coldest nights	January, 2.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	10:42 on 20 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:34

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

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

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

In Poitiers the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 20 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 later than Poitiers; the closest date is in Le Mans, 5 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Limoges	109 km	28 October – end of December	8 days later
Angers	120 km	by 28 October	8 days later
La Rochelle	123 km	by 12 November	23 days later
Le Mans	158 km	25 October – end of December	5 days later
Nantes	160 km	by 30 October	10 days later
Orléans	188 km	26 October – end of December	6 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Poitiers

Planting stock goes into the ground from 20 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Poitiers OpenStreetMap lists 6 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 3 markets and 5 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Gamm Vert — garden centre
Allée du Haut Poitou 16 · Mon–Sat 09:00–12:00, 14:00–18:45 · 8 km · magasin.gammvert.fr
Gamm Vert — garden centre
Allée de Flore, 86800 Saint-Julien-l'Ars · Mon–Sat 09:00–12:00, 14:00–19:00 · 12 km · gammvert.fr
Gamm Vert — garden centre
Rue de la Croix Berthon 20 · Mon–Sat 08:45–12:00, 14:00–18:45; Sun 09:00–12:00 · 13 km · gammvert.fr
Jardiland — garden centre
Mon–Sat 09:30–19:00; Sun 10:00–13:00, 14:30–18:30 · 2 km · jardiland.com
Truffaut — garden centre
Mon–Sat 09:30–12:30, 14:00–19:00; Sun 09:30–12:30, 14:30–18:30 · 5 km · truffaut.com
Gamm Vert — garden centre
Mon–Sat 09:00–12:00, 14:00–18:30 · 7 km
Marché dominical — market
Sun 08:30–12:30 · 8 km
Halles Notre-Dame — market
Mon–Sat 07:00–20:00 · 1 km

Questions