I was busy this spring morning clipping little stems of grape hyacinth in my garden which is out my kitchen window. Containers, including a small glass cream pitcher and a tiny crystal cordial glass, are now filled with the pretty purple flowers.

I just can’t resist clipping the flowers when they bloom in my garden. They remind me of what I think were gentler days, or perhaps a slower-paced lifestyle. My mother-in-law had grape hyacinth in her country garden and had shared the bulbs with me. I enjoy sharing them too.

I’m not sure of the proper method, but after they are finished blooming I dig...