As winter settles in and gardens lie dormant, Paperwhites( Narcissus papyraceus) and Amaryllis (Hippeastrum x hybridum) bring life and fragrance indoors.

These holiday favourites grace countless homes each season with their dramatic blooms offering a welcome respite from grey skies.

However, beneath their beauty lies an important safety concern that everyone should understand.

Paperwhites, members of the Narcissus family, are beloved for their clusters of small, intensely-fragrant white flowers. Unlike many bulbs, they require no chilling period before blooming indoors, making them perfect for impatient gardeners and last-minute gift-givers.

Simply place the bulbs in water with stones for support, and within weeks, you'll have stunning blooms filling your home with their distinctive, honey-sweet scent.

Amaryllis bulbs are dramatic South American natives producing enormous trumpet-shaped flowers atop thick, hollow stems with blooms that can reach six to 10 inches across.

Available in rich reds, pristine whites, coral pinks and even striped varieties, Amaryllis have become synonymous with holiday elegance as a single bulb can produce multiple flower stalks, offering weeks of spectacular display. Both bulbs are remarkably forgiving, which partly explains their popularity.

Paperwhites thrive in bright,........

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