Now is the perfect time to shop for amaryllis, hyacinth and my favorite, paperwhite narcissus bulbs, to brighten up your wintery days with indoor flowers.

The paperwhites are good for beginners because they are virtually fail proof. All you have to do is plant it, water it and it will bloom. First, though, roots must form to support the foliage and flowers. Find narcissus bulbs at your local nursery or garden shop. Plant the bulb in loose planting media like pebbles or bark fiber. Sometimes you can find bulbs in ready-to-plant kits that include the pebbles and a nice looking shallow dish. Plant the bulb 2/3 exposed, so that only the lower third sits down into the planting media. Add water to the dish, to level with the bottom of the bulb. Keep watering to maintain the same level. Soon roots will start forming and green leaf tips will come up. In about 6 weeks, the paperwhites will flower for you! I like to start a bowl of paperwhites each weekend from now until Christmas so that I have continuous blooms until Spring.

For hyacinths, most bulbs will easily fit into the mouth of a jelly jar. Or you might like to look for some pretty glass hyacinth jars at flea markets, swap meets, antique shops or Ebay! Keep the water level just to the bottom of the bulb for quick growth and sweet smelling flowers.

Amaryllis also can be purchased in kits, especially around holiday time. Keep the bulbs in a cool place if you can't plant them right away. When you're ready, set the bulb in lukewarm water for a few hours to wake it up. Then place it up to its neck in some good potting soil, gently so you don't damage its roots. Press the soil firmly into place around it and put it in a warm place with plenty of sunshine. Water it just a little (don't drench it)until you see a stem pop up, then increase the watering when the leaves and flower bud form. Once the leaves and bud start forming, it will grow much faster and the flower will pop open in about 7 - 10 weeks. It might take a little longer, depending on the amount of winter sunshine you can give it, but the gorgeous trumpet-like flower is well worth the wait.