Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Paperwhite narcissus, Narcissus papyraceus, is the strongest-scented narcissus. It's traditionally used as a cut flower or forced for use on table displays in winter, where its incredible fragrance fills the home for weeks. Each stem bears up to 10 pure white flowers.
For outdoor cultivation, plant Narcissus papyraceus bulbs in containers or open ground in autumn as you would other narcissi. If forcing the bulbs for indoor use, plant them in a vase or shallow bowl on top of a layer of gravel. Add water to reach the top of the gravel layer only. The bulbs will happily grow and flower without soil, and may be planted into the garden for the following year, after they have flowered.
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Narcissus and wildlife
Narcissus has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
