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Jonquils in the garden
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Daffodils are available
between May and November from our Autumn Catalogue
See Online
Store for availability |
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Please click on the
small pictures to see enlarged pictures which will open in a new window. |
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Scent
must be the first thing to spring to mind when the name jonquil is
mentioned. The well known late flowering Narcissus jonquilla,
with up to 4 small bright golden yellow flowers is
understandably a garden favourite. Jonquil hybrids also have a long
history. The cross between Narcissus jonquilla
and Narcissus pseudonarcissus - Narcissus odorus has been in cultivation for
at least 300 years. |
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Narcissus jonquilla |
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Division 7 however encompasses a much wider and rather disparate group of
plants. Even the official classification is very broad. They can vary from
tiny, near species hybrids only 7cm tall to stately plants some 50cm tall,
and by no means all are scented. Generally speaking they tend to have
rather flat flowers with small cups, often with two or more flowers per
stem. Jonquil hybrids can be broadly divided into 3, each having its own
specific cultural requirements.
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Narcissus Xit |
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The smallest hybrids always cause the most interest on
the show bench but are really too fragile, and in some cases too tender for
the open garden. We used to grow the exquisite 'Pequenita' in the troughs
with the rest of our miniature collection. For many years we attempted to
maintain stocks until we gave up the unequal struggle and in desperation
moved it into a poly tunnel. It has subsequently thrived in the warmer and
much drier conditions. Other similar hybrids, especially
'Xit', 'Sabrosa'
and 'Moncorvo' which have the tiny white Moroccan Narcissus watieri
as one
parent also prefer this more sheltered existence. |
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Narcissus Pequenita |
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Narcissus Sundial |
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The next group are only slightly taller but have a single
species parent rather than both. This makes them much more robust and
eminently suitable for outdoor cultivation. Sadly they have not inherited
the fragrance gene but then you can't have everything. Delicacy and grace
more than make up for it. They need a well drained soil, preferably limy, in
full sun and are excellent subjects for the rock garden. 'Sundial',
'Sundisc', 'Clare' and 'Rikki' are all reliable hybrids with tiny 2cm flowers in
shades of yellow on stiff stems. Slightly larger, but by no means too tall
for the rock garden or raised bed, are 'Lintie', 'Bobbysoxer', and the multi-headed
'Desert Bells'. They are in
keeping with the more robust alpine plants or can be planted out at the
front of a sunny border. All dislike cold, waterlogged soils. |
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Narcissus Bobbysoxer |
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Narcissus Sweetness
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The final group contains the tall jonquil hybrids. These
are very varied in appearance and cover the whole range of colour
combinations. Most are the result of crossing Narcissus jonquilla with a
standard daffodil. They are among the best garden plants, coupling scent
with vigour. They have very stiff, sturdy stems and stand up well to bad
weather. The oldest hybrids are self-coloured such as the lemon, twin
headed 'Trevithian' which is also excellent for naturalising. Other reliable
and recommended yellow jonquils are the strongly scented 'Sweetness' and
'Quail'.
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Narcissus Quail |
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Narcissus Binkie |
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Narcissus 'Binkie' (division2) has produced some excellent reversed bi-colour
offspring. 'Pipit', 'Dickcissel', 'Verdin' and
'Chit Chat' all have 1 or 2
flowers with a cream perianth and lemon cup. They make excellent cut
flowers. Among the most dramatic of the hybrids are the red cupped 'Suzy'
and 'Sweet Pepper' where the fiery cup contrasts dramatically with the
strong yellow perianth. As yet there is not a pure white tall jonquil, the
nearest being the creamy 'Pueblo' , twin headed 'Nancegollen' and the pink
tinged 'Cherie'. In 'Bellsong' the cup is a true pink. |
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Narcissus Bellsong |
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Although Division 7 is probably the most varied in
appearance it contains some of the best garden plants.
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