NARCISSUS
The highlight of the April garden, though some earlier ones are often welcome and the last will flower in May. Do plant them really quite deeply with 4-6” (10-15cm) of soil over the bulb, where it will remain more cool, more moist and safer from activity above them in the summer. Do not be tempted to cut back or tidy the foliage after flowering – this period of replenishment of the bulb's starchy food reserves is critical to future flowering. A liquid feed while starchy leaves are still green will benefit clumps in poorer soil. We suggest you plant them in distinct groups and not randomly – the effect is generally better. Most should clump up from being planted about 4" (10cm) apart, further apart for more 'relaxed' planting. The flowering month should be used as a guide only – seasonal variation can be great!
HISTORICAL DAFFODILS - A particular interest to us are the early daffodils. They have a quaintness and informality that is largely lost in modern daffodil breeding, yet they have stood the test of time having been in their peak of popularity in Victorian times. Many more remain to be rediscovered and loved again.
barri conspicuous, Bath's Flame, Butter and Eggs, Elegance, February Gold, johnstonii, Pencrebar, Sophie's Choice, Seagull. Thalia, Van Sion, W.P.Milner, White Lady
NARCISSUS FOR PROTECTED SITUATIONS OR POTTING - These forms need protection from the extremes of cold and are suited to forcing in pots for indoor display with huge scent. They need lots of light and only protection from frost so nothing to warm.
Hugh Town, Paperwhite-Scilly Spring, Paperwhite- Ziva.
NARCISSUS-SHORT VARIETIES - Low growing varieties best suited to sinks, pots or the front of borders.
Elka, Golden Bells, Miss Muffit, Tete a tete, Toby the First. Topolino , Xit
NARCISSUS-NATURALISING FORMS - These would be the first choice fo varieties to "naturalise", to use to create a wild feel, where they might increase and multiply gently. But some could equally well go into your borders, where they would need little attention.
lobularis (pseudonarcissus), minor var.pumilus, obvallaris, poeticus recurvus.
NARCISSUS-GARDEN STALWARTS - The others! These do not fit into the other groupings, but are nevertheless perfect for garden use.
Bell Song, Cheerfulness, Crewena, Hawera, Ice Wings, Jack Snipe, Minnow, Pipit, Rijnveldt's Early Sensation, Silver Chimes, Sweetness
These bulbs will be available to order from May 2009 for delivery from September 2009.