Delicate, miniature early-flowering narcissi, including the sweetly fragrant Paper Whites, are native to the Mediterranean and will bloom beautifully inside over Christmas, New Year and beyond, bringing the fresh promise of spring

Few winter flowers have a more delicious fragrance than Narcissus papyraceus, more commonly known as the Paper White. A sub-species of the Narcissus tazetta family, the clusters of these delicate star-shaped flowers on slender stems lend themselves to beautifully simple arrangements.
The bulbs themselves flower from October to March in the mild microclimates of the south west and the Isles of Scilly. Here, generation after generation of islanders have harvested the blooms to be sold at mainland markets, while flower lovers and bulb collectors make the trip across the water to admire the sight and scent of a hundred thousand daffodils growing in the winter sun.
Each stem carries many flower heads, and each variety has its own unique charm, variation in colour, stature and perfume. For luxurious linen-white flowers, seek out the single stars of N. papyraceus 'Ziva', or the warmer, creamy hues of the single-flowered N. 'Grand Primo Citronière', with a tiny lemon cup at its centre. For more drama, go for the leggy, late-flowering and superbly scented N. 'Golden Dawn', which sports flower heads of butter-yellow dotted with deep orange. Uniquely gorgeous is the aptly named N. 'Avalanche', which has flurries of cascading, scented snow-white flowers dangling precariously from lengthy pedicels. Early-flowering narcissi from the Double family include N. 'Erlicheer', which emerges in October. Its clusters of creamy petals, up to five flowers on each stem and incredible scent make it a delight for flower arrangements. Meanwhile N. 'Abba' has soft, more ample ruffles, smudged with strands of saffron and emerges a little later.

ESSENTIAL PLANTING TIPS
Bulbs for planting in the home are available from September onwards and you should pot them up as soon as possible after you buy them, or store them at room temperature until you are ready. Unlike other varieties, the bulbs do not need a cold, dark period of forcing and the beauty of tazetta is that they require only a brief period of cultivation. N. 'Ziva', for instance, pushes out flowers within the month, although with cooler conditions it may take up to two months. Try planting a mixture of early and later varieties to achieve a wonderful wave of flowers to carry you through to March.
Before planting in clay or other ornamental pots, lay crocks over the drainage hole. Mix grit or horticultural sand into the potting compost to ensure good drainage and fill the pot a third of the way up. Plant the bulbs tightly together, cover to three thirds with more compost mix, firm in and water well before adding a thin layer of horticultural grit. Leave in a warm, light position for the delicate flowers to bloom.

CARE OF CUT FLOWERS
Cut narcissi will last longer if kept in a cool place, away from direct heat (the same applies for flowering bulbs). Unless the stem has dried up, there is no need to re-cut the flower stem; however, tazettas are pretty thirsty flowers and you need to ensure water is topped up regularly.

WHERE TO SEE AND BUY NARCISSI
Many early narcissi are available now already planted up in pretty arrangements from garden centres and florists. However it is not too late to plant the bulbs of late-season varieties, such as N. 'Silver Chimes' (white and pale yellow); N. 'Minnow', (cream and yellow);N. 'Geranium'(glistening white); and N. 'Abba' (double, cream streaked with saffron).

SUPPLIERS OF NARCISSI
• Jacques Amand, (01736) 335851 for mail order. Stock includes N. papyraceus 'Ziva' and N. 'Golden Dawn'.
• R A Scamp, (01326) 317959. Stock includes N. 'Avalanche', N. 'Grand Primo Citronière' and N. 'Abba'.
• Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Centre, (020) 7915 4776. A comprehensive guide to choosing, buying and planting all types of bulb.
• Order cut flowers direct from the growers on the Isle of Scilly. Call, (01720) 422849.
• You can see N. tazetta varieties growing in fields on the Isle of Scilly from October to March. Call The Scilly Tourist Board on (01720) 422536.

JANUARY 2005
WORDS JACKY HOBBS
PHOTOGRAPHS MICHELLE GARRETT