"Paperwhite Narcissus".....one of my Holiday Traditions

"Paperwhite" bulbs being forced in pebbles & water.....ever so simple....ever so beautiful! One of my favorite holiday rituals is the planting of "paperwhite narcissus". Years ago, shortly after moving to Southern California, I had been admiring the December issue of House Beautiful. The magazine was featuring a beautifully decorated home, all dressed for the upcoming holidays. The one thing that caught my eye was these amazing white flowers?...They were tall & white & added such a freshness to the overall decor!....As I read, I learned that these were called "paperwhites"....they were part of the "narcissus family".....& were very easy to grow, as well as force. The next day I was off to the nursery "to get me some bulbs"!!!.....With magazine in hand, I went from one garden center to the next, each one knowing what the flower was, but trying to explain to me that it was a "spring flower"...not something they carried at this time of year...& definitely NOT a flower suitable for Christmas!.....Well, that was simply unexceptable!....I went home & begin my research.....It wasn't long before I was ordering bulb catologs & purchasing "paperwhite bulbs" through the mail...... I carefully planted a "few" that first year, with amazing results!....the next year a few more & on & on!!....Over the last 20 years, it has become quite an obsession!.....And as you are probably quite aware, paperwhites are now quite readily available from high end nurserys to the local Home Depot!...For me this lovely pristine flower "exemplifies" Christmas...."simple & pure".....At our house, paperwhite "forcing" has become tradition.....So tomorrow, bulbs in hand, this girl will be putting on her garden gloves, & once again planting a few pots of "Christmas"......I invite you to do the same.....& possibly a new tradition will begin at your house.......Heidi XO

Paperwhites grow to approx. 24" & usually need at some point to be given some support. Isn't this "cage of twigs" the perfect answer.....

So tall & regal.......

Because paperwhites can be planted very shallow...this antique "birdbath" makes a charming container.