Narcissus April to June 2009

[Paul T]

Armin,

It may also come down to watering.  Friends from here in Canberra were over visiting New Zealand and a daff show there..... the NZ versions of the same daffs were twice the size of ours, mainly due to them having plenty of water while we're so restricted here.  Apparently heavy watering as they're coming growth makes a big difference to the flower formation and size.

[Lesley Cox]

An old friend no longer alive, used to import Alec Gray's miniature daffs many years ago and her comment was that invariably those forms grew to 2 inches (5cms) taller than they were said to grow in the UK. This was probably a climate thing too.

So far as naming is concerned, with so many vars looking almost identical, of course it happens with any genus where there are hundreds or even thousands of man-made hybrids. Bearded irises are a case in point. The Brits, Americans, French, Italians, Germans, Australians and NZers - probably others - are all releasing many new named vars each year so inevitably the same iris (in appearance, if not genetically) turns up under several different names. The same with daffodils. At least with bearded irises there is a much greater colour range to start with.

[Armin]

Paul,
you are right. The ground water level is often only -50cm below ground. The roots can get enough water in the growing season.

[Sinchets]

A little findling popping up from a forest of Colchicum leaves.  Not quite sure how it got there and why it is blooming so late, but it is the list of plants to relocate this summer.

[Janis Ruksans]

Few years ago I grew daffodils, too. Had collection of 1400 cultivars and hybrids, between them more than 400 of my own breeds. It was 1 acre in total but 3-4 years ago all of them I sold to Dutch company. Left very few some 10 years ago presented to my wife and planted at my wifes nursery between perennials. This spring they nicely bloomed and I want few of them show to you.
Janis

[annew]

I really like the 2 singles, especially Lord of the Rings - very pretty.

[Ragged Robin]

I really like the 2 singles, especially Lord of the Rings - very pretty.

Same here 

[Paul T]

I rather like Naivety and Immortality.  The rest are great as well though.

[Lvandelft]

One of the latest Narcissus flowering here now, Narcissus Albus Plenus Odoratus,
the double flowered N. poeticus (N. poeticus Plenus)

[annew]

That's rather nice, is it well scented also?

[Paul T]

Isn't it great.  I love double daffs (I know, I know, some of us here absolutely hate them!  ) but this has to be one of my favourites of all of them.  The flower reminds me so much of a Gardenia, with perfectly overlapping petals and such a pure white.  You'd never have any idea it was poeticus to look at it.  Lovely flower, and great picture Luit. 

[annew]

Does anyone know of a nursery supplying this narcissus in the UK?

[Lvandelft]

That's rather nice, is it well scented also?

Yes Anne, it is really well scented.

[David Nicholson]

Does anyone know of a nursery supplying this narcissus in the UK?

Found this one on Google Anne. Might be worth trying later in the year.

http://shop1.actinicexpress.co.uk/shops/rosecottageplants/index.php?cat=Narcissus

[Roma]

Does anyone know of a nursery supplying this narcissus in the UK?

Broadleigh usually have it on their list, Anne.