Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
Welcoming in the New Year means beginning anew and afresh. As we take away the tree and the tinsel, we start with a clean slate (well almost, pine needles and glitter seem to last forever). But as we haul away all those extras from the holidays and pack them back in the attic, things can look a little sparse and bare. Throw in the winds and frigid temperatures, and it can feel a bit bleak. Before the winter blues set in, add new life to your home by planting flowers. Yes, you heard that right. Plant flowers in January, namely paperwhites.
If you’ve never planted paperwhites before, you are in for a treat. These beautiful plants with tall green stems and topped with small, snow-white flowers make the perfect winter decoration. Their intoxicating scent will fill the room and make you dream about summer nights. Like daffodils, paperwhites are in the narcissus family. You can see the family resemblance in their dainty, daffodil-like faces. In warmer, Mediterranean climates, paperwhites can be grown as perennials, but in our area they bloom in winter because they grow from bulbs that you force to bloom. One of the interesting things about paperwhites is that they can be grown without soil. Simply place a few of the bulbs in a decorative bowl or vase, add a few stones to support them, and add water, barely touching the base of the bulb. In a few weeks, you will see them sprout and the stems will seem to reach for the sky. Soon you will see the buds of the fragrant flowers open, releasing their perfume throughout the house. Keep your paperwhites in a cool area, out of direct sunlight to keep them from growing too tall and flopping over. If they do start to fall, simply tie the stems together with a decorative ribbon or twine. You can also get a little artsy and add willow branches or branches from your own yard. Paint the branches white or leave them au natural and insert them between the stems of the narcissus for support.
For continuous winter blooms, plant new bulbs every few weeks. Their sleek stems and simple white flowers make for an elegant plant that fits any decorative style. You can get creative by growing them in different types of containers or using colorful glass marbles to cover the bulbs. Just don’t allow the bulb to be submerged in the water or they will rot. As the roots form, you can keep the water at a lower level, touching only the roots. For a fun project with the kids, plant your narcissus bulbs in a clear see-through vase. These fast-growing flowers will seem to sprout roots before your eyes and you can observe the changes with your little ones each day.
We love to hear from our readers. What is your favorite way to fight the winter blues? Kindly send your comments, pictures, and questions to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com. Wishing you all peace, love, and hope in the New Year.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
