Daffodil (Narcissus) 'Paperwhite'

Where to Plant:

'Paperwhite' daffodils are a special type of Tazetta narcissus grown almost exclusively for flowering indoors during the winter. They are not hardy enough to be planted in the garden in the UK. They are prized for their intensely fragrant clusters of pure white flowers. They should be grown in a bowl or pot and placed in a bright, cool room. Their powerful perfume can be overwhelming in a small, warm space.

How to Plant:

For winter fragrance, start the bulbs in autumn. You do not even need compost. Simply place a layer of pebbles, gravel, or glass beads in the bottom of a waterproof bowl. Arrange the bulbs closely together on top of the pebbles with their pointed ends facing up. Add water until it just touches the base of the bulbs. Alternatively, plant them in a pot of compost with the top half of the bulb exposed, and water once.

Aftercare:

Place the prepared bowl or pot in a bright but cool position. Top up the water level in the bowl as needed, keeping it at the base of the bulbs. The flowers will appear within a few weeks. Stems can get very tall and may need supporting with twigs or a decorative frame. 'Paperwhites' are treated as a temporary display and are best discarded and composted after they have finished flowering, as they will not perform well in subsequent years.