Taylors Bulbs Paperwhite Narcissus grandiflora

SOLD INDIVIDUALLY - A firm favourite for bringing fragrance and flowers into the house through the darker months, Paperwhite Narcissus produces clusters of up to ten pure white, star-shaped blooms per stem, with a strong, heady scent that fills a room. Unlike most daffodils, paperwhites don't need a cold spell to flower, making them the classic choice for forcing indoors over winter.

Growing to around 35-40cm, they're best planted in bowls of bulb fibre, compost, or simply pebbles and water, with the bulbs sitting close together and their noses just above the surface. Keep them somewhere cool and dark until the shoots reach 4-5cm, then move them into a bright spot to flower — planted from autumn, they'll typically bloom within four to six weeks, so a few staggered batches will keep the display going right through to Christmas and beyond. As with all narcissi, the bulbs and sap can irritate skin, so gloves are worth wearing when handling and potting them up.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.