Bring the color and scents of the season

inside with evergreens and blooms

In the dead of winter, nothing refreshes the home like the scent of fresh flowers, eucalyptus and evergreens.

Blooming Bulbs

Forcing bulbs is an easy way to have gorgeous blooms indoors throughout winter. Amaryllis blooms are big and bold, and Narcissus come in a variety of bloom shapes and sizes as well.

Though the ‘Ziva’ is the most common paperwhite bulb in the Narcissus family, there is also the ‘Inball,’ which has a milder fragrance than the Ziva; the ‘Nir’ which produces jumbo blooms on a shorter stalk; the creamy double blooms of the ‘Erlicheer’ (shown left); the bright yellow blooms of the ‘Grande Soleil;’ and the yellow and white ‘Chinese Sacred Lily’ which has a slight citrusy fragrance.

All are easy to force, whether in rocks or soil, and require very little maintenance and effort, which is a blessing during the hectic holidays!

Cut Flowers

Whether creating the perfect winter centerpiece or gifting a hostess, a vase filled with fresh cut flowers in the colors of the season can’t be beat.

Try a bouquet of vibrant hypericum, white roses, magnolia and “Stars of Bethlehem” for a feeling of spring in winter. The white and green color combination mimics the snowy outdoors, while its floral fragrance is an uplifting reminder of the season to come.

Fresh Greenery

Deck the halls with boughs of holly.or any combination of eucalyptus, pine, magnolia or fir. Accented with berries, pine cones and/or bows, fresh greenery pieces, such as wreaths, garlands, swags, and kissing balls, instantly add a festive touch to mantels, front doors, banisters, walls and anywhere else they’re placed in the house. Adding little white lights only ups the “wow” factor.

Jennifer Sypeck, director of trend and product development, says, “Their fragrance creates instant scent memory. As an East Coaster living on the West Coast, I drape fresh green garlands all around the front entrance so it smells like the snowy holiday seasons I grew up with.” – Courtesy of Smith and Hawken.