Old Man Winter needs to lighten up, and we're not talking snow here. No, it's the bright and cheery reds, pinks, whites, and stripes of the delicious amaryllis that's going to do the trick.

Long a favorite of indoor gardeners, this spectacular blooming bulb will give your winter-weary home the pick-me-up it needs. And it's so easy to grow. In fact, if you've never forced a bulb in your life, you can be successful with this one. The only requirement is a little patience.

In this case size does matter. When you're shopping for an amaryllis bulb in the garden center, choose the largest one you can find. Unlike other forcing bulbs that involve a cooling-off period before planting, this tropical native can go in your pot straight away.

Start the forcing process eight weeks before bloom time. (This is where patience kicks in.) Your pot should hold the bulb comfortably, with plenty of depth to accommodate the root system. Use a good, nutritious potting soil and leave a third of the bulb exposed above the soil line. Water well. Wait for new green growth to appear before watering again. Then water when dry dry, no more than three times a week. Place the potted bulb out of direct sunlight.

Because the large blooms make the plant top heavy, consider inserting a stake in the soil (buy one designed to support an amaryllis) to prevent the inevitable toppling over.

Plant several amaryllis bulbs, and place them throughout your house. Then, kiss the winter blahs goodbye.

There is life after amaryllis death. For information on how to get your amaryllis bulb to bloom next year, visit dutchgardens.com. • Get a set of six amaryllis stakes for $49 at whiteflowerfarm.com.