This week – being easter and all – the plant of the week is the daffodil. There aren’t many folks who don’t like a daffodil and all it symbolises; for some it is as simple as spring and easter eggs!
Narcissus is a classical Green name and and originates from a story of young man who became so entranced by his reflection that the gods turned him into a flower. The narcissi’s drooping head is meant to represent the young man looking down at his reflection. The actual name Narcissus is thought to have Iranian origins.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus originates from Western Europe within the bounds of Portugal and Germany. It is not confirmed whether it is native to the UK or has naturalised, but it is found in natural habitats and I myself have seen it a semi-natural ancient woodland.
The daffodils we buy in the shops are very heavily bred varieties. N pseudonarcissus is the parent plant for a large number of hybrids and cultivars, of which over 30,000 names are recorded in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Daffodil Registration Database!
If you fancy a bit of night time reading about the Daffodil, then look no further than here! This article has everything from the history through to twin-scaling (a method of propagation for the daffodil enthusiast).
Common Law states we can pick flower, fruit, foliage and fungi from rights of way, so if you are on a walk and come across a colony on a bank or nestled by a hedgerow, then you are allowed to pick some stems. I always feel we should save some for passers by and some for the wildlife, but a new unopened stems are perfect to take home for the vase. NEVER lift bulbs though as this contravenes Section 13 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and is enforceable. You are not allowed to sell stems if you pick them as this also contravenes the law. If in doubt, look and don’t touch!
My favourite variety of Narcissus is Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus. It flowers a touch later in my garden than other varieties but the range is March to May. It carries a heavenly fragrance and has been awarded an Award of Garden Merit by the RHS.
Narcissus ‘Minnow’ is a multi-headed miniature variety and looks wonderful beneath trees and at the base of a hedge. This flowers around April. This also carries an AGM
Narcissus ‘Carlton’ is a reliable large cupped variety with an AGM. It is a big old blousy traditional variety that flowers march to April and will look fabulous in vases in the house.
Daffodils look great naturalised in lawns and by trees and hedges. They prefer sun or light shade, and will grow in well drained soil (the bulbs will rot if planted in wet ground). Deadhead them after flowering but don’t cut back the foliage, or even tie the leaves up, as they need plenty of time to photosynthesise to allow enough sugars to be stored for good performance the following year! No need to lift the bulbs.
There is a daffodil for every taste – be it multi-stemmed, a pleno variety, tall, small, early or late, white, pale-yellow or buttercup yellow. Take you pick of what you fancy!
