Have you ordered your fall bulbs yet? We’ve rounded up our favorite new offerings from the daffodil family (or do you say narcissus)—along with a few fragrant, rare, and antique flowers we can’t resist.
A new offering from John Scheeper’s this year, Narcissus ‘Blushing Lady’ (10 bulbs for $7) was first cultivated from seed in 2003 by Brent C. Heath (of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, where Blushing Lady Daffodil also is available for $3.45 for five bulbs).
Narcissus ‘Blushing Lady’
Narcissus ‘Double Itzim’
A variant of ‘Itzim’ (which has deep yellow coloring and orange-red mouth), ‘Double Itzim’ has a ruffled double flower.
Narcissus ‘Edinburgh’
Ruffled Narcissus ‘Edinburgh’ was named after the city in Scotland. Colors range from orange-pink to vivid yellow at its base; five bulbs for £6 from RV Roger.
A new introduction from White Flower Farm, ‘Eleanor Auchincloss’ is named after the nursery founder’s granddaughter. Hardy in growing zones 3-8 South (and to zone 9 in the West), six bulbs are $15.75.
Narcissus ‘Eleanor Auchincloss’
Narcissus ‘Geranium’
Photograph by Takashi M via Flickr.
Producing up to six flowers per stem, Narcissus Tazetta ‘Geranium’ has a strong fragrance and is one of our longtime favorites. Originally hybridized by J.B. van der Schoot in the Netherlands (before 1930), it is $9.95 for 10 bulbs from Bulbs Direct.
An antique variety of trumpet daffodil, golden ‘King Alfred’ by English grower John Kendall, the 19th century.
Photograph by David Boté Estrada via Flickr.
Reported the Gardener’s Chronicle in 1899: “This flower named King Alfred appears to be the outcome of a cross between N. Emperor and Maximus. The large bloom of rich uniform gold, and thick substance, recalls the features of both parents.” A bag of 10 King Alfred bulbs is $13.95 at Eden Brothers.
Narcissus ‘Minnow’
One of our favorite miniature daffodils, Narcissus Minnow was hybridized by Alec Gray in England in the early 1960s.
For a similar daffodil with a ruffled coral-red center, consider Narcissus ‘Night Cap’, hybridized by Brian Duncan of Northern Ireland and a new offering from Van Engelen Inc.; 50 bulbs for $53.25. It is among the rarest flowers Old House Gardens offers; five bulbs for $16.
Narcissus ‘Night Cap’
For more, see Order the World’s Best Narcissi Online, But Please Don’t Call Them Daffodils. Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for daffodils with our Daffodils: A Field Guide.
Photograph by Howard Sooley.
Narcissus ‘Primo’