Paperwhites were once considered to be a separate type of narcissus than other other types but they have been hybridized with tazetta daffodils for so long that they are now classified with them in Division 8. The familiar characteristics of paperwhites are white flowers that grow in large clusters and a strong,musky fragrance.
Although paperwhites are usually grown indoors they can be grown in the garden if you live in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.There are many old varieties of paperwhites that have naturalized in the Gulf Coast region. Many of the variety names have been lost to time but they still happily grow and bloom for generations.
Paperwhites will also grow outdoors in parts of southern California that don't have hard frosts. The varieties you'll find here are the same or similar to the ones that grow on the gulf Coast.
I have known of some gardeners who have successfully grown them in Zone 7 but they are not reliably perennial that far north. They may survive for several years and then succumb to a late frost that occurs while the bulbs are blooming.
If you visit the Gulf Coast or California in the late winter you'll probably see many cluster flowered daffodils with white petals and small yellow cups. These bulbs are all closely related and many of them are no longer available commercially. If you live in these regions you may be able to obtain some of these precious bulbs directly from the gardener.
In my research for this post I found several articles that revealed paperwhites were an important cash crop in the coastal South in the 1930s and 40s. Many of those paperwhites still grow from Florida to Texas although only a few commercial growers still exist. Apparently a rare mealy bug infestation (yes,mealy bugs are outdoor pests in the South) in the early 1950s drove many of these small growers out of business.
Today most commercially grown varieties of paperwhites come from Israel where they have been grown since biblical times. The most popular paperwhites today are Ziva, Inball, Nir, Ariel,Soleil D'or, and the ancient Chinese Sacred Lily.
Quick Tips For Growing Paperwhites Indoors
1. Paperwhite bulbs only need 2-3 inches of soil for their roots,so shallow containers are ideal. A pretty ceramic or terra cotta pot is nice if you're using soil. For planting in marbles,stones,or pebbles a clear container will show off the planting medium and the plant roots.2. The planting medium for your narcissus bulbs just needs to provide support for the plants and must be suitable for roots to grow through.
3.Plant the bulbs with the narrow part pointing upward (the rounder,fatter end points downward) with the tops of each bulb above the soil/pebble line.Plant close together, almost touching, for the best display.
4.Add water so the planting medium stays moist. If planted in pebbles or marbles, add enough water to come within 3/4” of the top of the pebbles. If the bulbs are left in standing water they will rot. You want the base of the bulbs to just touch the water.
5. Place the pot or bowl in sunny or very bright location. Light will keep stems from growing too tall and becoming floppy.For another method of keeping paperwhite stems from becoming floppy,see Paperwhite Narcissus for Indoor Flowers All Winter Long. Paperwhites will usually flower within a month from planting.
After your paperwhites have bloomed and gone dormant, you can plant them in the garden if you live in a frost-free area . It's better to grow them in soil rather than pebbles if you want to move them outdoors later. Be aware that your bulbs may not bloom for two or three years.
For even more tips on growing narcissus tazetta papyraceous (paperwhite bulbs) please see some of my earlier articles:How To Keep Your Paperwhites From Falling Over By Giving Them Alcohol (eHow)
Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs For Indoor Blooms All Winter Long (Squidoo)
Next time I'll tell you about the Poet's Daffodil:Narcissus Poeticus
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