Paper White Blooms
The Paper Whites I forced a few weeks ago have bloomed beautifully! And in time for Christmas.
Surprisingly they stayed tall except for one pot of them that finally bent over. I just picked them and put them in a vase. 
The flowers remind me of snow that sparkles in the light. They sort of shimmer if you look closely.
Paperwhites are part of the Narcissus family (Daffodils are larger flowers in the same family.) They are very fragrant and pretty. Narcissus were named after the legendary Greek God Narcissus, who was known to be very handsome. 
The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size. ~Gertrude S. Wister
December 28th, 2009 at: 12:36 am
They do sparkle – that’s the first thing i noticed. They are beautiful; what a nice Christmas present. i hope you had a wonderful holiday. Have a blessed and happy New Year!
December 28th, 2009 at: 1:05 am
I have always loved paperwhites. But now that I think about it, I’ve never actually grown any. Mine are…..okay don’t faint……silk. I know, I know, that’s just all wrong. Have a happy New Year!
December 28th, 2009 at: 1:33 am
narcissus grew in the old orchard where I lived as a small child — I think there must have been an old homestead there at one time.
It wasn’t really spring until they bloomed and we got to walk up there and pick them. Thank you for the sweet memory.
December 28th, 2009 at: 1:47 am
I love very much these flowers that I find not only beautiful but also elegant. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year!
December 28th, 2009 at: 2:47 am
Teresa, Your paperwhites are works of art and your macro photos do a fabulous job of showing them off. How cool that they bloomed on Christmas–no small feat! Beautiful!!
December 28th, 2009 at: 4:14 am
Wonderful photos!
December 28th, 2009 at: 4:55 am
good stuff, love that first shot – you can tell how they got their name
I like paper whites..easy to grow and they’re just plain pretty!
December 28th, 2009 at: 7:55 am
wow..awesome shots of this awesome flower..esp. the first photo..it sparks like Christmas lights…so beautiful
mine is here
December 28th, 2009 at: 9:10 am
excelllent close up! I noticed the shimmer right away.
December 28th, 2009 at: 11:17 am
They are so pretty! They do sparkle like snow!
December 28th, 2009 at: 2:01 pm
Hi Teresa,
The silvery shimmer of the paper white at the top does indeed remind me of snow glittering in the sun. Lovely photo. Note to self, “Don’t forget paperwhites fall 2010.”
December 28th, 2009 at: 3:51 pm
They are so pretty, but I had to stop growing them because they smell a little TOO potent for me! And my kids were complaining too!
Nowadays I stick to hyacinths.
December 28th, 2009 at: 6:08 pm
I like the dark background and the sparkle in the petals of the first shot best. Nice work Teresa.
December 28th, 2009 at: 9:16 pm
They are so pretty, I love them in the basket. Mine have finished blooming but we really enjoyed having fresh blooms inside this time of year.
December 29th, 2009 at: 11:59 am
Lovely paper whites.
And such nice pictures of them here. Especially the close up. I love that one.
I forced some for my mom, her last Christmas with us, and promised her I would grow them every year at Christmas, but the fragrance was so potent, I had to break that promise. I just cannot grow them in the house.
But they sure are pretty to look at.
December 29th, 2009 at: 11:00 pm
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December 30th, 2009 at: 12:10 am
ooh, these do shimmer – they’re so delicate and pretty! I never get around to forcing bulbs. It’s such a nice way to bring something blooming indoors though! Really nice.