Bulb Forcing
One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to bring plant
fragrance into your home is to force bulbs. You will
either be left with bulbs that can be reused indoors or
flora that can eventually be transplanted outside.
Here are some suggestions to try:
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Paper-White Narcissi: These are one-time bulbs that cannot be replanted in the summer garden. They are one of the easiest bulbs to force and will bloom in as little as four to six weeks after planting. They produce clusters of lovely little flowers that emit a slightly musky scent.
Hyacinth: A wonderfully fragrant flower that can
be transplanted to the outdoor garden. It should be trimmed
when the flowers and stems die and kept gently moist before
transplanting.
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Fig. 2 - Paper-whites produce small flowers with a slightly musky scent. |
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Both paper-whites and hyacinth bulbs can be planted indoors
in shallow pots without drain holes. Surround the bulbs
with a bed of decorative pebbles in enough water to immerse
the roots. There is no other care required than to let
the bulbs develop into beautiful flowers.
Amaryllis: Check the variety before purchasing to ensure the plant emits scent. White-flowered plants tend to be the most fragrant. These bulbs like to be placed in a deep pot to encourage root development, but one not much larger in circumference than the bulb itself. Gently water once per week and allow the stems and flowers to die before cutting back and storing.
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