Advent Calendar 2012 - Christmas Paperwhites

Christmas Paperwhites. You still have time to force your bulbs! My first batch is already in bloom. They've only been planted for barely 3 weeks. Their heady scent fills our living room adding a sweet top note to the cedar boughs that have found their way into our home for the season.

I had snagged these flower bricks at an estate sale. Purchased all they had. You can find some HERE. This one is called Williamsburg blue. I also have them in the holly pattern. They come with an insert for the top that has holes into which you can place flowers for flower arranging easy as pie. I used them without the top, filled them pretty full with small white rocks available at any garden supply store/dept. Placed the bulbs on top and then watered to cover the bottom of the bulbs. Placed them in a sunny kitchen window and watched them come to life!

This is the earliest I've ever had them come to life. Could it be that West Texas has it's season's confused and it's been in the 70's and 80's the last week? And will be until mid week again, frown. I plant them in stages. Plant a set, wait two week, plant another, wait two weeks, plant another. Keep the water level consistent and you should be guaranteed success.

Paperwhites are part of the Narcissus family, native to the Mediterranean region. Daffodils, too, are part of this family. Once they begin to bloom, move them out of the window into a cooler clime and they will bloom longer. Keep them out of direct sunlight, too. Have fun. I hope you enjoy the beauty of these bulbs this year. Oh, and don't plant in the yard once they are through, they will more than likely only flower once. I hope you give them a try. They really are pretty easy.