Daffodil & Narcissi

Daffodil or Narcissus?

Much confusion exists over the proper name for these plants. Actually, both daffodil and narcissus are correct. Narcissus is the generic botanical name given these plants in 1753. In England, however, the plants were commonly known as daffodils.

Wholesale Daffodils

We are a  supplier of wholesale daffodils, narcissi and bulk daffodils to professional landscape and other large volume daffodil bulbs buyers in the UK.

We also supply private buyers, offering wholesale daffodils and narcissi bulbs at competitive prices for smaller quantities.

Planting Time, Daffodils & Narcissi

Narcissi and daffodil bulbs planting time is generally in the months of late September, all of October and early November. The recommended method is to plant the daffodil bulbs when you receive them.

The reason for planting daffodil bulbs in the autumn is that daffodils and narcissi need about 12 or 13 weeks of cold weather, from 3 to 9 degrees Celsius to reset them for blooming. There are some exceptions to this rule.

Naturalised Narcissi and Daffodil Field

A successfully naturalised daffodil or narcissi field can bloom for up to 30 or even 50 years! First, choose an area with good drainage and sunlight. An area where grass can be left unmown until the daffodil foliage has matured is ideal. Hillsides are excellent spots to plant daffodil bulbs.

The edges of woods are also good, if you are planting an early-blooming daffodil bulb variety that will have a chance to mature before the trees come into full leaf. For best impact, plant daffodil bulbs in drifts of like kinds and colours. Many gardeners "arrange" their narcissi and daffodil drifts simply by taking handfuls of daffodil bulbs and throwing them about for a natural-feeling distribution – just dig where the daffodil bulbs land!

Best Results With Daffodil Bulbs

When naturalising narcissi and daffodils, you will get the best results and many years of blooms by taking the time to plant the daffodil bulbs properly. For most naturalising projects, you will be working in uncultivated soil with thick turf, so it is necessary to give each daffodil bulb a small custom-cultivated hole. One clever way to make precise daffodil bulbs holes is to use a battery-powered drill – a half-inch drill with a 3" bit usually does the job. With a sub-layer of rich, fertilised soil to send roots into, your narcissi and daffodil bulbs will grow even stronger and bloom for years!

The Daffodil Flower

A successfully naturalised daffodil or narcissi field can bloom for up to 30 or even 50 years! First, choose an area with good drainage and sunlight. An area where grass can be left unmown until the daffodil foliage has matured is ideal. Hillsides are excellent spots to plant daffodil bulbs.

The daffodil flower is divided into two parts: the perianth and the corona. The daffodil perianth is made up of 6 petals (more correctly tepals or perianth segments) inside of which is the daffodil "crown" or corona that surrounds the six pollen-bearing stamens and three-lobed stigma. The daffodil corona is what we usually refer to as the "daffodil trumpet" or "daffodil cup" depending on its size in relationship to the perianth.

Daffodil and Narcissi Classifications

Our daffodils and narcissi are grown in the heart of Lincolnshire and are broken down in to divisions based on flower forms.

Division 1 - Trumpet (Long Cupped)

Producing one single long trumpet flower per stem, usually as long or longer than the petals. Includes varieties such as Dutch Master, King Alfred and Mount Hood.

Division 2 - Large Cupped Narcissi

One flower produces per stem with a cup at least one third of the length of the perianth segments (petals).

Division 3 - Small Cupped Narcissi

Distinctive yet smaller cups often frilled form on solitary flowers.

Division 4 - Double Narcissi

Generally individual flowers of fully or semi double formation.  Some varieties produce clusters of 4 or more sweetly scented double blooms.

Division 5 - Triandrus Narcissi

Miniature daffodil type flowers are finely detailed and bare two to six flowers per stem.

Division 6 - Cyclamineus Narcissi

Delicate flowers with flexed petals are borne one to two blooms per stem.  Very Popular species for pot work.

Division 7 - Jonquilla Narcissi

Mostly scented flowers with up to three heads per stem.  The cup is generally small and often flanged.

Division 8 - Tazetta Narcissi

Blooms carry a sweet honey fragrance and can produce up to 20 flowers per stem.

Division 9 - Poeticus Narcissi

Old fashioned species with up to two flowers per stem often sweetly scented, the petals are white and the small cup shaped flowers are yellow-green with bright red edges.

Division 10 - Species and Wild Hybrids

The flower forms are both wide and diverse from diminutive hooped petticoat daffodils with funnel shaped, flanged cups to distinctive miniature trumpets.

Division 11 - Split Cupped Narcissi

Single flowers form with a cup that is typically split and often appear ruffled.