Green Tidings

Blooms in midwinter are to us what presents are to our children: delightful, unexpected surprises. Though we've been forcing bulbs for years, our spirits never fail to lift when we spot that first burst of color, whether it's the orange flare of an amaryllis or the snowy, fragrant tip of a paper-white narcissus. Along with flowering bulbs, we can't imagine a festive season without the requisite displays of poinsettias and mistletoe and holly. Below, we provide tips for caring for—and in the case of bulbs, growing—these decorative holiday plants.

Amaryllis
Originally from South America, these large bulbs produce dazzling, star-shaped flowers. Pot individually or, better yet, in small groupings. Given that you'll need to plan six or eight weeks ahead to ensure these bulbs bloom around the holidays, you can, if you get a late start, always find pre-potted bulbs at most florists.

How to Grow: Place bulb with potting soil in a container with a hole for drainage. Leave one inch of room between the bulb and the sides of the container (the same rule applies if you're planting more than one amaryllis; just make sure the bulbs are not touching each other). It's important to keep the container to bulb ratio snug because if the container is too big, the amaryllis fills the space with roots and blooming takes longer. Leave one-third of the bulb exposed at the top; water well after planting and place in warm, well-lit area.
Scent: Mild
Time to Bloom: Approximately six to eight weeks

Paper-White Narcissus
These sweetly fragrant flowers, with their elegant, long green stems, are among the easiest bulbs to force into bloom.

How to Grow: Place bulbs in a container filled with soil, pebbles or marbles, making sure bulbs do not touch each other. Leave top one-third of each bulb exposed (sprouts will already be coming out of the top when you purchase the bulbs). If planted in soil, water well after planting. If planted in pebbles or marbles, add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs (as one of our favorite gardeners likes to say, "You want the bulbs to reach for their drinks"); maintain this water line throughout growing period, keeping moisture just below the expanding roots. Place in well-lit area.
Scent: Strong
Time to Bloom: Approximately five weeks

Poinsettias
Native to the hills of western Mexico and named after the first U.S. ambassador (Joel Roberts Poinsett) to that southern neighbor of ours, poinsettias have become almost as ubiquitous as Christmas trees during the holiday season. Now available in a rainbow of colors, from peach to purple, white to wintergreen, these plants thrive with an ample amount of sunlight and water to keep the soil moist.

Mistletoe and Holly
Most people, of course, go for cuttings of mistletoe and holly rather than actually growing the plants (mistletoe, the state flower of Oklahoma, prefers warmer climates; holly is a hardy evergreen and some varieties do thrive in wintery conditions). A word of caution about mistletoe and holly: their berries are poisonous, so be sure to keep away from children and pets. The dark green leaves of both plants will brighten any room in your home.


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