Winter Flowers & Foliage
Winter flowers and foliage are a simple and natural highlight of the season that make our homes feel fresher and brighter in the darker winter months. Hyacinths, paperwhite narcissus and tall sculptural amaryllis are just a few examples of beautiful winter flowers which bring colour and fragrance into the home when most houseplants are slowing in growth.
With delicate, snow white petals and a heavenly scent, paperwhite narcissi bring much beauty and joy to the home. They are easy to source as cut flowers as well as being one of the simplest bulbs to grow inside. Paperwhites can be grown indoors from late autumn to early spring and their flowers and leaves are stored inside the bulb ready to emerge.
Growing Paperwhite Narcissi:
- Paperwhite bulbs – as many as you can fit in your container
- Compost
- Gravel / small stones
- Moss and twigs
- Select a container such as a jar, tureen or bowl and fill half way with small stones or pebbles to act as drainage.
- Add a layer of soil on top of the gravel and drop the bulbs in with the tips facing up. Cover with more soil and water.
- Position in a cool, dark space for 7-10 days to stimulate the roots.
- Watch for growth and bring into the light when sprouting starts. Rotate to keep the stalks straight.
- Cover the topsoil with moss and stake with some twiggy branches for structure and support as the stems grow.
- Water every few days and to ensure the flowers bloom for as long as possible, keep cool and away from direct sunlight.
- Consider staggering the planting time to give you a longer succession of blooms to enjoy throughout the winter.
Bunches of foliage or winter branches can also be a wonderful way to create a bouquet or arrangement. Branches can be foraged from your surroundings and arranged simply, adding a sculptural presence to a room whether left bare or embellished with simple decorations.
Eucalyptus is an amenable and wonderfully aromatic plant that can be enjoyed across the home. Perfect as a stand alone display in a vase or combined with florals, eucalyptus can also be used in festive garlands or tied into wreaths. With countless varieties widely available, and the fact that it can last without water, the versatility of eucalyptus cannot be overstated.
Bringing nature indoors and filling corners of the home with plants and flowers of any variety is a wonderful way to add colour and life during winter time. It not only contributes to the look of the room but also changes how it feels to spend time within it. Read our other winter journal posts; a natural festive decoration, a foliage wreath for Christmas and winter gatherings for more inspiration or discover our seasonal boards on Pinterest.
