Daffodil Varieties

(Question)

hello
Last spring my narcissus Carlton bloomed ,then no other daffodils bloomed until a few Narcissus Cheerfulness. Can you suggest a daffodil that will bloom in between Carlton and the later daffodils? Also a gardening book I am reading talks about the single yellow-cupped Poetaz narcissus- Do you have a name for this ?
Thank you

(Answer)

Your large cupped daffodil, Narcissus ‘Carlton’ is a popular mid spring bloomer. The lovely, fragrant, double daffodil- Narcissus ‘Cheerfulness’ is a mid to late spring bloomer.  There are many daffodils that flower in this mid to late spring range.

Narcissus poeticus, or Poet daffodils, are popular mid to late spring bloomers- with their fragrant, large flowers. The poet William Wordsword was inspired to write a poem- I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud, about the wild daffodils, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, that grew prolifically around his home in the Lake District in England. However, Narcissus poeticus are thought to be the original poets daffodil- named after the daffodil that inspired the ancient Greek tale of Narcissus.

The flower in your book sounds like Narcissus Poetaz ‘Geranium’. Poetaz narcissus are mid to late spring flowering, fragrant with  dogwood like flowers. These bulbs belong in the Tazetta daffodil group.

To extend the daffodil flowering period you may like to add some early flowering varieties to your collection. When purchasing your bulbs the label should give you their blooming period.

To improve the number and quality of blooms that grow from your bulbs, dig in a few inches of well-rotted manure or compost in late fall (October), before the ground freezes. This will release a nutrients in the spring- after the snow melts and washes the compost down towards your bulbs roots.

If your bulbs have been planted for many years they may have formed large clumps. This creates competition for food and water and as a result fewer blooms occur. Mid October, before the ground freezes, dig up the bulbs and divide them. Replant them around your garden or share/swap them with friends and neighbours.