My goodness, I have a mind like a sieve. I totally forgot about the paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta ‘Ziva’) that I moved into the garage when temperatures plummeted last week. When I came across them yesterday, still hidden in the shadows, they had grown leggy and their flowers were flopping all over the place. Luckily, however, I found the two pots of bulbs just in time for my annual collards and wine party scheduled for last evening. After cutting several big handfuls of Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ (also called gold dust) and pushing the branches into the soil around the paperwhites to keep their blooms corralled, they made the PERFECT welcome committee.
A paperwhite welcome!
As a bonus, here is a quick look at my Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day subject, Hippeastrum ‘Stardust’, which is just beginning to show its pretty face this morning.
Hippeastrum ‘Stardust’
Hortitopia 
Clever idea Marion, nicer than cutting them for a vase. I’ve had similar problems with then when they were grown in the greenhouse (where there was lots of light. Something I’ll remember for the future, thank you.
Christina–It worked in a pinch and really helped dress the pots, making them even more special.
Thanks for the reminder to get myself some paperwhites! Nice that you can grow them outside.
Jason–They don’t want to dip much below freezing. With our recent up-and-down temps, that means I’m moving them in and out more nights than I like.
It’s amazing, Marian, how creative one can become when the guests are almost at the door. Well done.
John–You are exactly right. If it wasn’t for guests, I would probably get half as much done!
What a lovely idea to use evergreen leaves to disguise their long stalks. Your pots look most welcoming.
Chloris–I’m hoping the branches last as long as the blooms, but you never know.
I really like the mixture of the two plants. How lucky you are to be able to put them outside in January.
Mimi–The yellow dots on the aucuba really add an extra measure of interest. I’m hoping the temps say above 30 tonight so I don’t have to bring the pots inside again.
They look lovely, well done you! Your Hippeastrum is gorgeous too!
Really nice. And the Hippeastrum is a beauty!
Love those clever solutions!!
Marian, I like your paperwhites almost as much as I admire that you host an annual collards and wine party. That must be fun and delicious.
Very pretty, and a real day-brightener. Plus, collards and wine sounds like a fun party to look forward to each year.
Stunning photos! What do you do with yours after blooming? Ive been told that here in Savannah we can just plant in garden – I’ll try it!
Jayne–Yes, plant them outside. You should be fine in Savannah, here in the Upstate gardeners should look for a warm micro climate, such as a south-facing wall.
I love Paperwhites and I would imagine it was not just the blooms your guests will have noticed but the scent as well. I have used the wind blown broken bits of Beech twigs to hold up the heads of Paperwhites in the past. That does work well and if you have the time you can spray-paint the twigs so that become a key part of the arrangement. I did mine black.
Love the Aucuba though.