It’s time to decorate for Christmas and even if you prefer to keep things simple, forced paper whites or amaryllis can add natural beauty to any room. I find paper whites to be a little too fragrant for the dining room but will use them in the family room.
via Petersham Nursery, England
via and George
via and George
I’ve had some success with forcing paper whites but recently I’ve purchased paper whites that are already in bloom. Besides, it may be a little late to force them…we only have less than 4 weeks until Christmas; the experts say you should allow 6 weeks from planting to bloom.
I know I’ll miss the joy of watching them grow but I find most paper whites grow too tall for the container I’ve placed them in so by buying them as a potted plant I can get the size that suits my location.
via The White List, Tricia Foley
via French Essence, image Vicki Archer
via bulb hunter
Mary McDonald via adventures of tartanscot
source unknown
via and George
via and George
via The White List, Tricia Foley
via My French Country Home, Sharon Santoni
If you want to grow them from “scratch” visit this link for a detailed description of ‘how to’ not only grow paper whites and amaryllis but several other bulbs, such as ‘snowdrops’, scilla, ‘hyacinths’ and ‘muscari’. I may try some of these for spring.
via paper{whites}, photo by Alison
visit these sites for detailed instructions on how to force your bulbs…
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho-19.pdf
~or~
http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/forcing_bulbs.html
…or you could just by these and put them in some lovely containers and call it good. P.S. If you do go with ‘cyclamen’ be sure to put them in a cool place every other day or so…they don’t like to be too warm (we share this in common).
Happy 1st day of one of the best months of the entire calendar year! Take time to stop and smell the fir, drink cocoa, host a few social events and thoroughly enjoy the season!
I’m linking to Sherry’s Open House Party at No Minimalist Here, have a look.
Garden, Home & Party 
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
I love bulbs but have never had very good luck with them. These beautiful photos make me want to try again. Like you, I’m so excited that it’s December — time to decorate the house and make things festive. Thanks for another inspiring post with imaginative ideas.
Karen said:
Linda,
I thought the exact same thing…these images made me want to try again, even though my bulbs usually grow to 3′ height and aren’t at all in proportion to the container, I want to have them growing. LOL.
Karen
Alison said:
Oh, I’m so behind. I JUST planted bulbs last week. We’ll see how it goes this year. ‘Tis the season! Happy December.
Karen said:
Alison,
You have such a great excuse for being behind. I on the other hand have no excuse for trying the whole forcing bulbs again…I just didn’t get around to it. It will have to be white cyclamen!
xo,
Karen
Karena said:
Hi Karen, I saw you at my friend Liz’s and am so glad! I love bulbs of any kind, especially paper-whites!! Beautiful images!!
I am having a Twelve Days of Holiday Giveaway Event! Many amazing gifts including the first one from Liz at Dovecote Decor, I hope you will stop by!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Karen said:
Hi Karena,
I will definitely visit. Hope you’re doing well in all of the holiday hustle and bustle.
Karen
Jennifer said:
Love these images & the paper whites! So elegant!
Karen said:
Thanks, Jennifer. And thank you for stopping by.
Karen
Gretchen said:
Karen, I think my short attention span has kept me from ever attempting to force bulbs. I love the look of paper whites and amaryllis especially at Christmas. I think I’ll just have to buy mine already in bloom!
Karen said:
Gretchen,
I’m with you. I love the idea and have successfully forced paper whites in years past, but time restraints of late have found me buying paper whites and cyclamen already in bloom, so easy. 🙂
Karen
Trish said:
Hi Karen. Love all the photos you’ve gathered! I almost didn’t order narcissus this year! They are my perfect antidote to dark days! I couldn’t resist a sale on them…so hoping I can get them up before Xmas. Testing….testing! Have a wonderful week. XO Trish
Karen said:
Trish,
Do you have a method for keeping them to a manageable height? We have a nursery that sells them and they are usually in very nice containers with buds on them and the plant is usually about 10″ tall, while mine seem to reach for the sky and bloom at around 12-18″. Yikes.
Karen
Linda said:
I want to cut some back and I want buds to bloom do you think this will help few blooms long falling over /staked tied some just teaseing me Has any one tried to thin???
Karen said:
That’s an interesting idea…I know that if you replant the forced bulbs you need to put them in the ‘fridge for 6 weeks after the bulbs had died back, but I’ve never tried to thin them. Try it and get back to me.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Holidays.