Fragrant Narcissus

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Late Summer & Fall Gardening Tips

• Plant naked lady amaryllis bulbs (available at local nurseries) now for fragrant pink flowers that bloom in late summer with minimal care.
• Protect ponds from leaf fall by covering the surface with a fine-mesh net.
• Replace summer annuals with pansies, snapdragons, stock, calendulas, and primroses for vibrant fall colors.
• Look for rich foliage colors in deciduous trees and shrubs like burning bush, fothergilla, snowball bush, and maples.
• Plant garlic sets now (hard-neck, soft-neck, or Elephant varieties) for an easy spring harvest.

Growing Paperwhites Indoors

Paperwhites are miniature Narcissus that produce fragrant white or yellow flowers, making them ideal for indoor winter blooms. They’re native to the Mediterranean and don’t require cold temperatures to flower.

• Buying bulbs: Choose large bulbs (16–17 cm circumference or ~2.25" diameter) for more and larger flowers.
• Growing in water:
  • Use a 4–6" deep bowl filled with pebbles.
  • Nestle bulbs halfway into the pebbles, almost touching.
  • Add water just to the base of the bulbs; maintain this level as roots grow.
• Growing in soil:
  • Plant bulbs in a shallow pot with drainage, leaving tips exposed.
  • Keep soil barely moist until sprouting, then maintain even moisture.
  • Start in a cool, shaded room until leaves reach 3"; gradually introduce light over a week.

Paperwhites bloom in 4–6 weeks. For holiday decorations, stagger plantings a week apart to ensure perfect timing.

Growing Paperwhites Outdoors

Plant bulbs 5" deep and 6" apart in a sunny location. They’ll bloom early each spring, returning annually with fragrant flowers.