Thankful Thursday: Pretty paperwhites

I mentioned them earlier, but I thought I might give a shout-out to my paperwhites on Thankful Thursday, because even though Toby's been waking me up at ungodly hours (grumble, grumble), they're a cheerful presence in my kitchen.

Here, in the land of sunshine, trees are perennially leafy and the garden blooms year 'round. So yeah, I'm spoiled in that regard. But even if you live in a much harsher climate, you can grow flowers in your kitchen window. Amaryllis are big and showy, but I prefer delicate paperwhites. They're known for their peppery fragrance and prolific, long-lasting blooms–a perfect antidote for the post-holiday drearies, I think. So if you're looking past Christmas to lots of wooly-grey weather,  this might just be the perfect gift, for yourself and/or that Special Someone…

Growing paperwhites is super-easy. You can plant them anytime, in almost any kind of container imaginable. You don't have to chill them, and they don't require good drainage. Just burrow the butt end of the bulb into a bed of stones, add water, and let your babies nap in a dark room for about a week. Roots develop during this hibernation period, and the stems grow about 2 or so inches. When the roots and new growth are established, you place them in a window sill, and voilà! Three to four weeks later, this is what they'll look like:

(I think I'll use a darker, smoother stone next time. Or maybe marbles,–wouldn't that be fun?)

Something new I tried this year: Pickled Paperwhites, a technique that involves feeding your bulbs a dilute cocktail of alcohol and water. (The ratio varies, based on the spirits you choose. I chose vodka because it's odorless.)  This turns them into lushes stunts the stem growth, thus preventing the heavy blossoms from toppling over. 


Toby gives them his seal of approval.

Start yours now, and they'll brighten your windowsill in late January, when you're searching for those earliest signs of spring.

    • I hope you do–they’re so easy to grow! And I’m guessing you’d get a lot of enjoyment out of them. Or hey, plant them this week for that special person in your life. (What better gift than a long-lasting bouquet…?)

      Yes, you can find bulbs at Home Depot, or check out your local nursery. Look for plump bulbs that aren’t bruised or nicked. Bigger & heavier = more stems and flowers. 🙂

    • YAY!! Could you drop me an email to let me know where you’ll be staying? I’ve got holiday plans, but if you’re not staying too awfully far from me, I’ll definitely like to get together!!!

  4. Hi! I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that people were saying nice things about you.

    http://shadowwolf13.livejournal.com/966783.html?thread=5993855#t5993855

    Please feel free to stop by and read the comments, add your love to others, or spread the word to your friends. You might want to track your thread so you’ll know when new comments come in for you as this continues to grow. Help spread the word and let your friends know about the post too. The more love the more fun we’ll have!

    Blessings,
    Shadow

    • Truth be told, I think they’re best enjoyed in limited quantities when you grow them indoors. Otherwise, the fragrance can be a little overwhelming (at least for some, your husband included). Wondering: Can you grow an amaryllis, instead? They’re gorgeous, too, albeit not as dainty., but they don’t have a fragrance to speak of.

  6. So beautiful! They remind me of the paperwhites Jeannine once brought me, and that Sweetpea and I planted and grew in pots over the winter… and then shared with another friend. They’re good for sharing, aren’t they? Though I hadn’t heard of pickling them!

    • I can easily imagine a gift exchange of paperwhites…(esp. between you and Jeannine, the very thought of which makes me smile).

      If you can grow them where you are, I heartily recommend giving them that cocktail. It’s nice to see big clusters of blooms w/o worrying that they’ll bend the stalks really low.

  7. I didn’t know about Paperwhites! They’re beautiful. With the long gray winters we have, I think I might have to investigate where I can find some bulbs to brighten up my kitchen 🙂

    • If you can’t find bulbs in your area, drop me an email (newport2newport AT gmail DOT com), and I’ll send you some. Truly. Meantime, here’s a poem you might enjoy:

      PAPERWHITES, by Dixie Partridge

      Polyanthus: prolific bloomer,

      one month from bulb to flower

      on tall shoots green

      against slant rays of February.

      Tiny trumpets of light

      for the house-plant winter;

      scent of lilac crossed with rose.

      Sudden ally, lustrous

      in a season’s darkening:

      a wish sprouted

      live from a friend.

      • What a sweet poem. And thank you for your kind offer. It looks like, if anything, I can get them shipped for free from Home Depot. If I have any luck, I will be sure to share pictures with you 🙂

  9. I love these photos, and love my paperwhites, too. I’ve got a few blooming, and some on the way. The delicate petals and the heavenly smell (well, except to Patty’s Bob — I guess it is a beholder thing). I’d forgotten giving Amy a little nest of bulbs, so nice to be reminded — I use the teapot she gave me all the time — and recently filed with another sweet gift: Winter Dream, I think, is my favorite! Thankful Thursday indeed!

  10. I will have to try the pickling thing! Ours usually fall over. We start them after we take the tree down– gets us through till almost-easter! Reminder of life returning…

  11. I love growing paperwhites, but have never tried to get them loaded : ) Will definitely need to buy some Vodka so they can toast in the New Yesr.

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