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Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, south facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front

Soil

Prefers rich soil:
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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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Divideyes

Narcissus and wildlife

Narcissus has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Narcissus poisonous?

Narcissus can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
Is known to attract People
People
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
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