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The Daffodil

Aptly enough for gardeners and flower lovers in the Pacific Northwest, the flower of the month for March is the daffodil, or jonquil according to some sources.

Large trumpet daffodils, the best known and most popularly grown kind, bloom in our gardens area mainly during March.

daffodils

Daffodil - jonquil - narcissus

You may have felt some confusion about just what properly to call these well-loved flowers, because three terms are commonly used for them: daffodil, jonquil, Narcissus. Narcissus is the proper botanical name for all of them. The jonquils constitute one particular class of Narcissus characterized by reed-like foliage and late bloom, two or three flowers on a stem and an intensely sweet fragrance.
In the past it has been common practice to use the term daffodil when speaking of the most familiar ones -- the larger trumpet and large-cupped kinds. Narcissus was reserved for the less commonly known, smaller-flowered and bunch-flowered types. Now the trend is to recognize that Narcissus is the botanical name for all these flowers, but at the same time to realize that it's quite acceptable to use the common and popular term -- daffodil -- for all the variations on these springtime flowers.
Daydream narcissus

History

The daffodil has long been associated with human history. The Egyptians used bunches of the flowers in funeral wreaths, and the Romans raised the plants in greenhouses for the decoration of patrician homes and to add grace to banquets.

The name Narcissus is from the Greek narkissos, which was derived from narkao, meaning to be stupefied. The inspiration for the name is thought to come from the poisonous or narcotic effects of the bulbs -- or from the myth about a boy of the same name who drowned while stupefied with admiration of his own reflection in water. Take your pick. At any rate the daffodil, a native of central Europe and the Mediterranean region, was beloved by the Greeks and often mentioned in their literature. Here is a tribute from "Hymn to Demeter".

"The Narcissus wondrously glittering, a noble sight for all,
whether immortal gods or mortal men;
from whose root a hundred heads spring forth,
and at the fragrant odour thereof all the broad heaven
laughed, and the salt wave of the sea."

From this description and others in Greek literature we can guess that their Narcissus was like our jonquils or bunch-flowered tazetta daffodils.

Today, the daffodil perhaps lacks the romantic connotations it held in ancient times when poets called their sweethearts Daffodil. Still, in our part of the world modern times have seen the daffodil become practically synonymous with the vibrant joys of springtime.

Variety

An endearing feature of the daffodil is its remarkable variety and versatility. From the tiniest miniature to the most statuesque, heavy-blossomed plant there is a daffodil for just about every garden situation and for each individual taste in flower style, size and color. There are classic blooms with long, imposing trumpets in rich gold, white, pink or orange-red; large ruffled doubles, some with a blend of different colors twisting together.

 

split cup		 The new split cup daffodils have ruffled centres that split open and lie back over the background petals.

 

Miniatures

For small, exclusive niches in the garden and situations at the front of rock gardens there are a multitude of miniatures, each with its own distinct style and attraction.

The hoop-petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium) bears flowers that consist almost entirely of a tiny, pouffy yellow trumpet.


hoop-petticoat daffodil
Angel's Tears (N. triandrus albus), another favorite, blooms in clusters of gracefully nodding little bell-shaped cups with backswept petals.
Angel's Tears narcissus

How to use daffodils

Daffodils are effective as skirtings beneath ornamental deciduous trees. They naturalize easily in grassy areas and in casual patches within flower and shrub beds. They provide delicious cut flowers for the house, and most are well suited to growing in pots for living bouquets to enjoy in the house and on decks and patios.
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