Plant of the week: Hippeastrum 'Alfresco'

What is it? A voluptuous, fancy indoor bloom to take your mind off the cold and dark. Hippeastrums can be bent to your will, to a degree, in that they will flower about eight weeks after being planted, throughout winter. Plant it with? Nestle pots of the flowers in among leafy houseplants for a tropical, jungly look and to help support their stems, or arrange them with pots of other forced bulbs to will spring onwards. And where? Place them in a bright, sunny window where you can look past their big, double white flowers to the gloom beyond. Any drawbacks? Light levels are low in winter, and worse indoors, and stems can get leggy. The flowers are big and the plants can become top-heavy, leading to swearing and grubby carpets. As well as growing it in your lightest spot, turn the plant regularly so it doesn't lean one way. Tying stems to a stick pushed into the soil can help. What else does it do? You may be able to make it flower again next year. Keep watering and feeding after flowering. Come September, withhold water to force the bulb into dormancy. Start watering again in January. Buy it We're offering one bulb for £11.99 or two bulbs for £18.99. All orders include free p&p. To order, call 0330 333 6856, quoting ref GUA601. Or visit our Reader Offers page . Bulb size 24/26. Delivery from November.