DAFFODIL
Family AMARYLLIDACEAE
Narcissus species
Perennial
Known variously as Daffodils, Jonquils, Chalice
Flowers, Lent Lilies and Chinese Sacred Lilies,
the hardy bulbous perennials of this important
genus come from Europe, Asia and North Africa.
The leaves are narrow, linear and erect, varying
in length according to species.
The flowers may be borne singly or in numbers
on a single stem.
The larger species are now classified into sections,
of which the following are examples: the “Trumpet”,
in which the trumpet is as long as, or longer
than, the perianth segments;
Incomparabilis, in which the cup is more than
one-third but less than the length of the perianth
segments;
Barri, in which the cup is less than one-third
of the length of the perianth segments;
Jonquilla hybrids, varieties of Narcissus jonquilla,
with scented flowers and short, fluted trumpets;
Poeticus varieties such as the Pheasant’s
Eye Narcissus.
Daffodils may be widely used for beds and borders,
but are often best when naturalised.
Well-drained loamy soils are best, planting in
September to October.
Propagate by offsets or from seeds.
The flowering season is from March to May.
See also : Narcissus
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