One of the delightful and charming old daffodils is Narcissus jonquilla simplex, sometimes called Queen Anne’s daffodil.
Crowing 6″ to 8″ inches high, with thin, grass-like foliage, the slender stems bear several tiny, richly-scented golden-yellow blooms.
This dainty hybrid is most appealing and a definite asset to every garden if planted properly.
Space Groupings During Planting
When planting this miniature with taller varieties of daffodils and other narcissus, space groups of the larger species and scatter a few of the small bulbs between each clump and plant where they fall naturally, about 2″ inches deep.
Then their delicate beauty will stand apart at blooming time from coarser foliaged plants.
Our Queen Anne’s daffodils bloom knee-deep on either side of our stone doorstep, among other small spring bulbs.
In our wild garden, they are grouped informally around picturesque rocks. The tiny daffodils are also attractive when planted around my bird bath, intermingled with yellow and lavender pansies.
Front Window Display
Once we made an interesting display by massing them under the front windows, set off by brilliant blue chionodoxa, grape hyacinths, and the small Scala satirical or squill and not the tall Scilla hispanica or Spanish bluebell.
Never let Narcissus jonquilla compete with flowers of the same height since miniatures lose their delicacy if swallowed up by their companion flowers.
We have used some in a shrub border tucked in among purple violets.
While violets are early bloomers and these tiny daffodils come rather late in the season, the continuance of violet blossoms provides a lovely combination of purple and gold.
Narcissus Jonquilla’s Charming Advantage
There are many other places this daffodil could be used to charming advantage. We plan to set them at the top of the stone steps leading to the lower terrace.
Since pine needles always make an attractive setting, we will experiment with naturalizing them under one of our big pines.
Wherever you place Narcissus jonquilla simplex, they will give you pleasure.
They will attract attention in the garden and make excellent cut flowers, sending a delightful sweet-scented breath of fragrance through your home.
44659 by D. H. Woodward