For a breath of spring in the depths of winter, it’s hard to beat a pot of flowering Paperwhite Narcissus. Paperwhites are easy to grow, so forcing them to flower is a good project, even for the newest gardener; plus, they make a beautiful decoration for the home or could be presented as a gift.

Purchase the bulbs any time after Oct. 1 from a reputable nursery or garden center. With paperwhites, it is a good idea not to set them out all at once. Space out the time between when you set them out to every 10 days; and then, your blooms will not come all at once. You will have blooms from December through spring. Once you do set out the paperwhite bulbs, you should begin to see flowers within four to six weeks.