The same general care guidelines apply to hyacinths, but keep in mind that when their stems are cut, they release sap that can shorten the life of other flowers. To prevent this, after cutting their stems, place them in a bucket of water for at least 12 hours on their own before mixing them with other flowers. In modern designs, hyacinths are arranged with the bulbs and roots in tact, as part of the composition. The soil is washed from the roots to prevent the water from becoming dirty.