Few novelties have caused more excitement in the horticultural world than the pink daffodil. Unfortunately, exhibition varieties such as Salmon Trout, Rose Caprice, and Pink Monarch are still too expensive to concern many of us.
But fortunately, there is also a large number that can be bought quite reasonably, and these make decorative garden flowers.
Rose of Tralee
Into this category falls Rose of Tralee. The perianth petals are beautifully formed, being pure white and pointed, while the trumpet crown is peach-pink down to the base.
It was raised by J. Lionel Richardson, Waterford, Ireland, who also produced Salmon Trout, that exquisite flower with shovel-pointed petals and a long salmon-pink cup.
Rose of Tralee appeared in a remarkable series of pink-cupped seedlings from the self-fertilized White Sentinel, a daffodil featured in breeding wide fine varieties. It is white with a pale lemon cup.
The first pink daffodil of any consequence was raised by Mrs. R. O. Backhouse in the 1920s and was named after her.
The perianth is ivory white, and the trumpet is a pale apricot deepening to pink at the mouth. It is a gem for pots and bowls and is long-lasting.
Wild Rose
Another good choice for pots, bowls, and vases is Wild Rose. Although a small flower, it is one of the brightest pinks, and the cup is a clear rosy shade right down to the base. Nor does the color fade, like some pinks, as the flower ages.
It was raised by Brodie of Brodie, who gave us Topic, with its large, whitish crown flushed pink, and Loch Moree, a pale pink.
Finest Pinks
Mention should be made of Interim, raised by Guy Wilson, breeder of some of the finest pinks—
- Lisbreen
- Moylena
- Roseanna
- Passionate
- Fintona
Interim has a white, slightly reflexing perianth, the petals of which are slightly incurved. The goblet cup is greenish primrose and is banded salmon-pink at the edge.
This is a decorative flower, tall-stemmed, vigorous, and charming when planted in groups.
Rosario From Tasmania
Rosario comes from Tasmania, where daffodil enthusiasts are more interested in pinks than any other color group.
The late C. E. Radcliffe bred Rosario has a broad, pure-white perianth and trumpet-shaped, frilled crown.
The base color of the crown is pale primrose, but this soon develops into a rich rose pink. Most pink daffodils require two or three days to develop their proper color.
Purest Pink Guy Wilson’s Passionate
The purest pink yet raised is Guy Wilson’s Passionate, from Rose of Tralee. Introduced in 1959, it has already won several first-class awards, and there seems little doubt about its future.
It is indeed charming with its perianth of long flat petals, overlapping to half their length, and long gently-frilled pink cup.
At present, it is costly, but Fortune was once expensive too. Now, thousands of bulbs are sold yearly.
Show Star Rima
Another show star is Rima, a daffodil developed in the United States. It has smooth, perfectly flat, white petals and a trumpet of lilac-toned pink.
Bred by Grant Mitch, it is one of his best pinks and is presently still expensive.
Low-Priced Varieties
Among the lower-priced varieties are Pink Fancy, Pink Glory, and Pink Rim. The first has an overlapping white perianth and apricot cup broadly margined with soft pink.
The second is a trumpet variety, the inside of which is a deeper pink than the outside. The third has a soft cream cup and a pink rim. All are good-cut flowers.
Scented Pink Daffodils
There are also some scented pink daffodils. Louise de Coligny has a slightly reflexing white perianth and a trumpet-shaped crown of apricot pink.
Siam has a frilled cup of apricot tint which changes to soft pink as the flower develops. Both have a delicious fragrance and are borne on long stems.
Pink Isle, Pensive and Pink Smiles
Pink Isle, Pensive, and Pink Smiles are somewhat more expensive but not exorbitant. Pink Isle is a medium-sized flower with a flat pure white perianth. The crown is a pleasing pink, unspoiled by any dullness or copper, nor does the color fade.
Pensive has a broad, pure white perianth of unusually smooth finish and a medium-length crown that is flushed shell-pink. Pink Smiles has a rich amber-pink crown of almost trumpet length. The petals are broad and spreading.
44659 by Rose Tennent