As the weather turns colder and the days grow shorter, the garden view from our window lacks the wonderful palette of what once was. We can fill this void with two colorful bulbs, the paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis. Both can be planted at staggered intervals in order to create an ongoing indoor display throughout the winter months.

Paperwhites produce dainty clusters of white flowers above deep green foliage. They are fragrant, but their musky odor is not universally appealing. It can be an acquired smell that becomes more acceptable as we focus on the beauty of the flowers.

This bulb is a perfect factory, ready to produce without benefit of fertilizer or prechilling. When planted in potting soil or on top of pebbles, it generates several stems topped by the lovely white sprays. Use a grouping of at least five bulbs in a container for the greatest impact.

When planting on pebbles, fill the bottom of a container with stones, then position the bulbs so they are close but not touching. Add more stones to secure this placement, but leave the top third of the bulb visible. Add water just below the level of the bulbs. Roots will grow down into the water and the resulting flowers will mature within four to six weeks. This display will continue for at least two weeks.

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Beside the unusual fragrance, the only other negative of these charming bulbs is their floppiness. The beautiful photos in magazines had to have been taken just moments prior to the flop. They reach a top-heavy height of 15 to 18 inches at this time of year because they are stretching for the substantially decreased daylight.

Brent Heath from Brent and Becky's Bulbs suggests that paperwhites be kept under grow lights, resulting in shorter, straighter foliage. The newest and for me the most humorous method of controlling the tumble is to give the bulbs a drink of alcohol, which will stunt their growth by one-third. Yes, this is true. Allow them to tipple so they will not topple.

William Miller, professor of horticulture and director of the Flowerbulb Research Program at Cornell University, discovered that using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and water -- 10 parts water to one part alcohol -- resulted in substantially shorter, sturdier paperwhites. This elixir should be applied once the green shoots are about 2 inches tall. You can also use gin, vodka, tequila or whiskey. These should be diluted one part liquor to seven parts water. A higher concentration of alcohol can damage the plant. This all brings new meaning to getting into the spirit of the season.

Once the paperwhites have bloomed, their energy has been totally consumed by this process and they are no longer viable bulbs. I put mine in the composter where they can continue to live on by nourishing my flower beds.

In recent years, amaryllis have grown in popularity and have become a panacea for the winter blues. These stunning bulbs can easily become the focal point in any room. The flowers top an erect stem surrounded by long leaves. The six petals are like small trumpets facing north, east, west and south. Their colors include red, rose, pink, and orange. The hybridizers bring more wonderful variations and patterns each year.

Amaryllis should be planted in a potting mix in a container with drainage that holds the bulb fairly snuggly. There should be no more than 1 inch between the bulb and the sides of the container. At least one-third of the bulb must remain above the planting medium. Water well initially and then keep the soil fairly dry until leaves appear. Overwatering inhibits the root growth necessary to anchor this spectacular plant.

Once the foliage has surfaced, water weekly and keep the plant in a sunny location, rotating it often so that it does not lean toward the light. The reward for this diligence is an exceptional flower that lasts about two weeks. Staking may be necessary to support the display. The amaryllis bulbs that are labeled as double tend to be a bit shorter, sturdier and do produce two flowering stems.

After blooming, many people keep the plant and try to coax it into repeating its remarkable display the next year. I have not been successful at this. Once this wonderful flower is gone, you are left with some vcry unappealing, strappy foliage that you must nurse through the seasons in the hope of getting a repeat performance. This is a bit like looking at daffodil leaves that have long overstayed their welcome. My advice is to compost your bulb and try some different varieties next winter.

Both paperwhites and amaryllis are available at local garden centers. Look for firm bulbs that are not showing signs of growth. I do not like the kits which include soil and a pot. Many of these have been stored improperly and the bulbs exposed to too high or too low temperatures. I have had excellent experience when ordering from the following sources:

• John Scheepers -- 1-860-567-0838 or www.john-scheepers.com

• White Flower Farm -- 1-800-503-9624 or www.white-flowerfarm.com