Daffodils are among the most infallible of spring bulbs—anyone can grow them.
Some varieties will thrive and multiply in almost any soil from Florida to Maine, and most varieties will grow well over the greater part of the United States. Even in cold climates, daffodils give a rugged performance.
Daffodil Bulbs Are A Good Garden Investment
Since these bulbs are such a good garden investment—and they’re real rabbits when it comes to increasing—it’s fortunate that there are such wide new varieties to choose from.
A few years ago, the general demand was for the large trumpet types in which the trumpets are at least as long as the radius of the perianth.
But gardeners found these were not as suitable for naturalizing, nor do they multiply as rapidly, as daffodils with shorter, widely flaring trumpets.
In recent years, the taste has changed. Now most gardeners want a wide, flaring, ruffled trumpet and a big perianth with overlapping petals.
John Evelyn Hybrids
Among the favorites of this group are the new John Evelyn hybrids, sometimes referred to as “weatherproof daffodils.”
Almost all the new seedlings of the John Evelyn narcissus multiply rapidly and are good for naturalizing.
The quality, texture, and color of the flowers of these weatherproof daffodils leave nothing to be desired. All of them have a perianth 5” inches in diameter.
They will tolerate adverse weather—rain, snow, wind, and hot burning sun—which often occurs when these daffodils bloom during the latter part of April.
Duke Of Windsor
The DUKE OF WINDSOR is perhaps the best of this group. The pale yellow cup, which is flaring and beautifully ruffled, shows a delicate tinting of a broad deeper yellow band which gives an interesting variation. The pure white perianth petals are thick and overlap.
Wodan
The most unusual of the John Evelyn hybrids is WODAN, which is all yellow. Few daffodils of this classification have both yellow perianth and cup, and none have white flecks on the cup, characteristic of Wodan.
Other outstanding varieties of the John Evelyn hybrid group are the following:
- Brookville
- Cerebus
- Diamond Jubilee
- Lemon Cup
- Leviathan
Favorite White Narcissus
White narcissus with large perianths and large cups have always been favorites. However, until 1946, BEERSHEBA was perhaps the favorite white.
It’s gradually being replaced by MOUNT HOOD, which has a magnificent large trumpet and perianth, rivaling King Alfred in flower size and texture.
It is probably the most desirable white daffodil today. KILLALOE, a Leedsi, is another outstanding white almost 5″ inches in diameter. Unfortunately, it is still scarce and will be for several years.
New Growing Demand For Large Narcissus
A new, growing demand is for the large narcissus with a big yellow perianth and deep orange cup.
The outstanding variety in this group is RED MARLEY, whose long cup tinted with copper red retains its color throughout the life of the flower.
The bulbs multiply well in the garden. With the recent trend of gardeners toward flowers of softer colors, pink and white daffodils have increased in popularity.
MRS. R. O. BACKHOUSE was introduced as the “pink daffodil” in 1923. Then, in 1946, Grullemans of Holland introduced a whole new group of Mrs. R. 0. Backhouse seedlings were tinted apricot and pink and were immediately snapped up by eager gardeners.
When these new seedlings first open, the trumpets may be orange-yellow or deep apricot, but after four or five days, they develop delicate pink and pale apricot-tinted trumpets and white perianths.
Since they are of the Leedsi group, they multiply rapidly and will grow practically anywhere, and almost all of them have a lovely fragrance.
Best Varieties of Pink Group
Although no two people seem to agree as to the best varieties of this pink group, CHAMPAGNE, LADY BIRD, and SIAM are the favorites.
Other outstanding varieties are the following:
- Antibes
- Biarritz
- Cannes
- Pink Glory
- Pink Select
This year a new pink variety, LOUISE DE COLICNY is being offered.
La Argentina
No daffodil is quite like LA ARGENTINA, which has a large, broad white perianth and a white cup filled with radiating stripes of yellow and orange.
Swansdown
Although large-flowering double narcissus are not the favorites they were 25 years ago, one of the most desirable of the newer doubles is SWANSDOWN.
The petals are very large and form a perfect background for the white feathery inner petals.
Krakatoa and California Gold
Another new novelty, KRAKATOA, a seedling of the lovely FORTUNE, has a large flower with a perfectly overlapping yellow perianth. The cup is flaming orange-red.
A new sensation, the English incomparabilis CALIFORNIA GOLD has a beautiful large deep gold perianth and rich orange-red cup. The flowers have excellent form and are carried well above the foliage.
Crocus
CROCUS, an extremely large incomparabilis, has a huge perianth of rich unfading golden yellow. It multiplies well and blooms freely.
The fine form and thick petals of ZARAH LEANDER’S delicate cream-yellow perianth offset the large filled cup of delicate yellow with an orange rim.
Lady Kesteven
LADY KESTEVEN looks like a giant pheasant’s eye narcissus. Its pure white perianth is composed of thick overlapping petals—an excellent background for the small, short, brilliant cherry red cup.
China Clay and Green Island
The entire flower of CHINA CLAY is pure white with a star-shaped perianth. The trumpet is nicely frilled at the rim.
GREEN ISLAND’S flowers are very large and have a thick, smooth texture.
The perianth is pure white; the cup is rounded, green at the base, and turning greenish yellow at the rim.
Tiny Narcissus Species
Narcissus Bulbocodium Monophyllus
There is also a growing demand for tiny species of narcissus. One of the daintiest is N. BULBOCODIUM MONOPHYLLUS, sometimes called the ‘Petticoat daffodil.
Cyclamineus
CYCLAMINEUS is a tiny narcissus that will naturalize in most places. It is probably the earliest of all daffodils and has a ruffled perianth similar to the petals of cyclamen, from which it got its name.
Moochatus Of Haworth
MOOCHATUS OF HAWORTH is a little pure white daffodil that naturalizes easily and does well in part shade.
However, unlike the others, the delicately formed TRIANDRUS ALBUS likes a rather dry, rocky place.
TRIANDRUS CONCOLOR is similar in form but the color is a creamy yellow. This little daffodil grows 7” inches tall and is good for pot culture.
Narcissus Bulbocodium Conspicuus
N. BULBOCODIUM CONSPICUUS is often called the yellow Hoop-petticoat daffodil. The golden yellow flowers, in the form of a hoop petticoat, come on 6-inch stems.
Narcissus Canaliculatus
N. CANALICULATUS has blue-green foliage and three or four flowers on a 6-inch stem. The perianth is white, the globular yellow cup sweetly scented.
Certainly, the narcissus forms are so varied, and the qualifications so outstanding that they should be your garden’s favorite spring flower. It is in a great many.
44659 by Lloyd A. Weaver