Paperwhites for Winter

I will leave it to the writers at Apartment Therapy to give you the directions with some pictures, here, but will add a few notes.

1. I think it is easiest to find some great containers for these at, what always turns into a baneful day of shopping, IKEA. And they always have all those rocks and what not.

2. I buy mine bulk at City People’s nursery. I do keep them chilled in the fridge and usually get through two or three sets during the winter. You don’t really need to chill them, but I don’t have a better place to keep them at a stable temperature.

3. They are likely to need a bit of support as they burst into heavy bloom, so plan ahead with either the shape of your container or thinking about how to tie them up with stakes.

4. Once they are done, they are spent. No need to save these bulbs as they’re been through some crazy unnatural experience. Just compost them.

5. Yes, yes, yes, they are incredibly fragrant— so much so that there are times where I do feel like we need to open an window for a bit. I like their scent and it lifts my mood to happier warm spring days, but boy howdy, it’s not a gift you could give everyone.