Narcissus spp.
Common name : Daffodil
Family : Amaryllidaceae
A bulbous soft wooded perennial with around 50 species and countless cultivars, the Narcissus, like the tulip, is the archetypal spring flower in cool climate gardens.
With a sheath of mid-green strap shaped or cylindrical leaves, these plants are most notable for their distinctive flowers. These have 6 flattened petals surrounding a central corona (or cup or trumpet).
Flower colours range from white through creams to yellow and the corona is often of a contrasting colour. Flowering time varies according to the species and cultivar, but can be from autumn until early summer.
Most species tolerate a range of soils but prefer those that are moderately fertile and well drained soils. They thrive in full sun or partial shade and are hardy down to -15 degrees C.
Narcissus can be grown in borders or containers and are often naturalised in grass or lawns.
They are striking planted in clumps and in massed plantings in prominent positions. Their bold colours contrast well with darker foliage plants.
Maintenance
Bulbs should be planted in autumn at about one and a half times their own depth.
Late flowering cultivars should be watered in dry spring weather, otherwise flowers may abort. Use a general purpose fertiliser to establish plants but try a low nitrogen, high potassium fertiliser to encourage flowers if not performing well.
Dead-head after flowering and allow leaves to die back naturally, this encourages the storage of energy in the bulb. Lift and divide clumps when they become congested and flowering becomes sparse.
Pests etc.
May suffer from narcissus eelworm, narcissus basal rot and other fungal infections.
Propagation
Propagate by seed (cutivars do not come true) or by separating and replanting bulb offsets as leaves die off in early summer.
Best Narcissus varieties to grow
Here are 10 of the best daffodil varieties to grow, each with a detailed description.
1. King Alfred
- Size: 16-18 inches tall.
- Flower Color: Golden yellow.
- Special Features: Classic trumpet-shaped blooms, very hardy, and reliable.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
2. Mount Hood
- Size: 14-16 inches tall.
- Flower Color: Pure white.
- Special Features: Starts as a pale yellow and matures to a striking white; excellent for brightening shaded areas.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade.
3. Carlton
- Size: 16-18 inches tall.
- Flower Color: Bright yellow with a slightly darker corona.
- Special Features: Early bloomer and highly fragrant.
- Growing Conditions: Adaptable to various soil types, prefers full sun.
4. Tête-à-Tête
- Size: 6-8 inches tall.
- Flower Color: Bright yellow.
- Special Features: Dwarf variety perfect for containers and borders; multiple flowers per stem.
- Growing Conditions: Well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade.
5. Ice Follies
- Size: 14-16 inches tall.
- Flower Color: White petals with a yellow to cream corona.
- Special Features: Large, flat blooms; great for naturalizing.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
6. Thalia
- Size: 12-14 inches tall.
- Flower Color: Pure white.
- Special Features: Elegant and fragrant; multiple flowers per stem.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.
7. Actae
- Size: 16-18 inches tall.
- Flower Color: White petals with a small yellow cup, edged in red.
- Special Features: Highly fragrant and naturalizes well.
- Growing Conditions: Well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade.
8. Avalanche
- Size: 14-16 inches tall.
- Flower Color: White petals with a small yellow cup.
- Special Features: Multiple blooms per stem, heirloom variety.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
9. Pink Charm
- Size: 16-18 inches tall.
- Flower Color: White petals with a pink trumpet.
- Special Features: Delicate and charming appearance.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade.
10. Poet’s Narcissus (Narcissus poeticus)
- Size: 14-16 inches tall.
- Flower Color: White petals with a small, red-edged yellow cup.
- Special Features: Fragrant; late blooming.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
References
Brickell C (ed), 1998, the Royal Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants Dorling Kindersley, London.
Brown, K, 2004, Bulbs for All Seasons, Aquamarine, London.
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition. He is a member of the National dahlia Society.
He previously lived in London and Sydney, Australia, where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland. He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012. The website is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more.
Gardening Step by Step has been cited by Thompson and Morgan, the UK’s largest mail order plant retailer, as a website that publishes expert gardening content.
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