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Tom Stimpson: Forcing bulbs for a wonderful winter indoors - Episode 286

grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends
Tom Stimpson: Forcing bulbs for a wonderful winter indoors - Episode 286
Aug 06, 2026 Episode 286
Sarah Raven

We’re approaching the perfect moment for bulb planting, and if you’re looking to force bulbs for a lovely indoor winter, then look no further than the sage advice of Tom Stimpson.

In this episode, Sarah and Tom - our Head of Horticulture - share their favourite bulbs to force indoors, and how to pot and water them, plus a few simple tricks to keep them flowering for weeks on end. 

In this episode, discover:

  • The best bulbs to force indoors, from dramatic amaryllis and classic paperwhites to scented narcissus, hyacinths and tiny muscari
  • Simple methods for planting, positioning and watering indoor bulbs so they flower reliably
  • The importance of “mean” watering to avoid rot and keep flowers lasting longer
  • Easy ways to move forced bulbs from house to garden so they go on to provide colour and cut stems for seasons to come

Products mentioned:

Amaryllis ‘Papillio’ (Papilio): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaryllis-papillio

Amaryllis ‘Green Magic’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaryllis-green-magic

Amaryllis ‘Nymph’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaryllis-nymph

Paperwhite Narcissus ‘Ziva’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-papyraceus-ziva-for-forcing

Narcissus ‘Polar Hunter’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-polar-hunter

Hyacinth ‘China Pink’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinth-china-pink

Hyacinth ‘Delft Blue’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinthus-orientalis-delft-blue-forcing

Muscari ‘Blue Magic’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/muscari-blue-magic

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