Colourful plants to lift the winter gloom Controversy even reigns over their naming, but it was agreed at the 14th International Botanical Congress in 1987, that "Amaryllis" should be used for cultivars of the genus Hippeastrum, sold to flower indoors. These big, fat bulbs with enormous crimson, dark red, white and cream frilly lily-like flowers are the result of commercial hybridisation between South American and South African plants, where they grow in the wild. When past their best, move from centre stage, cut the flower stems but let the leaves die back naturally. The plant stores nutrients in its leaves, so keep well fed and watered. I move mine outside once the danger of frost has past, then into a dark shed in September to lie dormant until November when it's comeback time, fed and watered, to resume their starring role in my kitchen. Re-pot every two or three years after flowering, and there's a chance your bulbs could have a long career - up to 75 annual performances. Look for bulbs at jacquesamandintl.com, which has the best selection, also jparkers.co.uk and vanmeuwen.com - I loved spiky orange 'Merengue," green-and-yellow 'Sulphur Queen," starry red 'Lima," rose pink 'Gervase" and maroon velvet 'Black Pearl." Amaryllis cut flowers can be bought from florists. To make them last, insert a cane up the stem, fill the stem with water and twist a rubber band around the end. Preserve with two tablespoons each of white vinegar and sugar, and half a teaspoon of bleach per quart of water. Change the water every three days and snip off ½in of stem. Scarlet blooms look lovely with red dogwood stems and rosehips, and the white ladies shine with cedar branches and eucalyptus twigs. I planted a large pot of Narcissus 'Cheerfulness" that's blooming by my front porch. Prop up with pussy willow stems to keep them from getting windswept, or brought into the house. White hyacinths potted in October will also fill the house with perfume. Orange calla lilies, cyclamen and climbing Hoya carnosa - the waxy flowers are all performing now. Slim pickings from the garden, but twigs of hazel catkins, Viburnum bodnantense, wintersweet and witch hazel, with arum leaves and ivy berries in different-sized glass vases ranged along the mantelpiece, will lift the heart and raise the spirits. Read more: Warm the cooking pot with veg from a winter garden Read more: Protecting your plants in winter