December Birth Flowers: Narcissus and Holly

• Its drooping flowers are said to recall Narcissus bending over his reflection.
• The paperwhite is named for petals as thin as paper.
• In Victorian times a gift of narcissus meant "you're the only one".

Paperwhites are sold as bulbs for forcing indoors in late fall and winter, and their white, fragrant flowers usually open within 2 to 3 weeks of planting. Tall stems tend to flop over. Cornell researchers found that once shoots are 1 to 2 inches tall, swapping the water for a 4 to 6 percent alcohol solution keeps plants about a third shorter. Mix one part 40 percent liquor with seven parts water. Avoid beer and wine.

To force paperwhites, set the bulbs on pebbles or potting mix with water at their base, in a sunny window.

Holly is sold as cut branches for holiday decorating and as shrubs. Do not let cut holly freeze, or the leaves and berries may blacken. Oregon State University Extension notes that even well-stored holly starts dropping leaves within 7 to 10 days, so buy it close to when you need it. Keep stems in water, away from drafts, heat and ripening fruit.

Plant holly in spring or fall in full sun and well-drained, slightly acid soil.

The paperwhite is poisonous in every part, the bulb most of all, and the ASPCA lists narcissus as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with vomiting and diarrhea. Holly berries are poisonous to people and many animals, though birds eat them; for pets, the ASPCA rates the leaves and berries low in toxicity, but they can still cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression.

Tanzanite, zircon and turquoise all count as December birthstones, and the Birthstone Finder compares them with the rest of the year. Paperwhites need a head start before the birthday, so a birthday countdown helps time the planting. For the holly, a day-before reminder from the Birthday Calendar is the cue to buy.