{Fragrant Paperwhite Narcissus flowers in early December}

Just want to show you these beautiful Paperwhite flowers that we had in a vase the first week of December. They are the very first bulbs in our garden to show their flowers and their fragrance is heavenly.

For our local paper The Courier Herald I did write on December 24, of 1985 an article about color and scent of flowers making them truly great gifts.

In The Kingdom of The Netherlands they have brought via mass-media this slogan to the notice of the Dutch people: "Do it naturally, make life green and flowery".

The Netherlands may be rightly called the country full of flowers.

World famous is the Keukenhof -- the greatest bulb-flower show on earth! During only two months of the year, in April and May, a grand bulb flower exhibition can be admired in the Keukenhof in Lisse, in the western part of The Netherlands, the province of South Holland in the west of the country.

In The Netherlands there is always room for flowers for all seasons and plants are used for atmosphere. Especially around Christmas time we "say it with flowers." Beautiful centerpieces with "real" greens, holly and some orchids, completed with candles will be the finishing touch of a nice Christmas dinner.

Watching flowers and plants is an agreeable occupation for many people. Yet, this pastime is not given to everybody. The visually disabled normally have no opportunity to admire the many flowers and plants. But also the fragrance of flowers and plants often means a pleasant experience. Consequently, for the visually disabled people many highly fragrant plants and flowers are placed together. Usually the varieties with vivid colors are chosen for this purpose. The high fragrance and the vivid colors together make people with poor eyesight also enjoy flowers and plants.

High fragrance plants include waxplant (hoya carnosa) stephanotis, gardenia and bulb-flowers such as paperwhites, hyacinths and freesias.

So also for blind people a gift such as hyacinths in a planter, will make a nice present for the holiday season. It is also a great gift idea for elderly people in nursing homes, or our loved ones in the hospital. Add some color to their lives and at the same time the scent.

These are two solid silver boxes with roses, from my private collection. The one on the left is from France from the end of the 19th century and the one on the right is from the Netherlands.

For Johanna Gehrlein, here at Mandalay Chartreuse by Mason's you can see the details about the above Mason Mandalay China vase from. It sure is a lovely pattern!

Related links:

MASON'S PATENT IRONSTONE 'MANDALAY' 20th CENTURY | Christie's
{Daffodils in a Vase on a Dark Day...} | previous post by me showing Mason's

{Fragrant Paperwhite Narcissus flowers in early December} | previous post by me with MASON'S

{Our Garden's Winter Blooms for Christmas} | previous post by me with MASON'S

{Enjoy some Fig Cake with Tea Jelly!} | previous post by me with MASON'S 

{TIP New Purpose for Cigarette Holder} | previous post by me with MASON'S 

{Wishing YOU a Happy 4th Advent 2012!} | previous post by me with MASON'S

{Our Nativity & Angels from Italy} | previous post by me with MASON'S 

{USEFUL TIP: Peppermint Tea for Anti Bloating} | previous post by me with MASON'S