Gardening: Think daffodils, think spring

Think daffodils, think spring, think Wordsworth, think patron saint of Wales, this bulb is iconic and symbolic as well as being a bright, bold and attractive flower. These yellow marvels can be seen popping up across the nation as early as November, but the main show begins in February and lasts through until May. Experts in naturalisation, daffodils can be seen popping up wherever they wish, with large groups colonising roadsides, thriving along footpaths, beneath hedgerows and along watercourses. In addition to being great colonisers, they can also be incredibly long lived, with bulbs repeat flowering for 50 years or more.

Daffodils are often confusingly referred to as Narcissi, so which is correct? The answer is both! In common usage the name daffodil is often used to describe larger, flowered trumpet kinds with a single flower on each stem, while the name narcissi popularly refers to those with smaller flowers and sometimes more than one flower on each stem. The name Narcissus comes from the Greek word narkoum, meaning to make numb; daffodil bulbs contain a narcotic and poisonous alkaloid that produces rapid stupor and death when ingested. It's rumoured that Roman soldiers carried daffodil bulbs into battle. If fatally wounded, a soldier would eat a bulb, ensuring a quick, painless death.

Daffodils are native to Spain where two thirds of them can be found, nearly half of these being endemic. Several species stray into Portugal, France and Morocco. One species, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, is considered native to Britain, having been first introduced following the Norman Conquest and has now naturalised itself. There are 40 recognised species of Narcissus but including sub-species, the number may be closer to 200. Narcissus reproduce easily and each seedling is slightly variable; these each form distinct variants. Leading to an endless state of new cultivars, there are an estimated 27,000 registered hybrids. This diversity can be seen in the numerous colour ranges available from pure white, shades of yellow, orange, pink and red, in every conceivable colour combination.

Taxonomically, daffodils can be divided into 12 divisions, each distinctly different from the next. Division 1 contain the trumpets, division 2 the large-cupped, division 3 the small-cupped, division 4 the doubles, division 5 the triandrus, Division 6 the cyclamineus, Division 7 home of the fragrant jonquilla, Division 8 the multi-stemmed half hardy tazettas. Division 9 include poeticus daffodils, division 10 include the bulbocodium which naturalise well in grass. Division 11 - the most unusual - are the split-corona daffodils where the cup is split into segments and finally, division 12 features the species daffodils.

One of the first daffodils to be seen in the garden is Narcissus cyclamineus, a delightful bulb with gently swept back, long pointed petals and a narrow trumpet of a uniform yellow. This daffodil reaches no more than 15cm in height, which gives it the advantage of having great durability, better able to overcome the weight of snow and effects of sharp frost than the taller varieties. N. cyclamineus grows well in turf and gardens with wet acid soils, and is found naturally growing in wet meadows near and on the banks of streams.

A great mid-season daffodil to recommend is Narcissus 'February Gold', named 'Spring Bulb of the Year 2011'. It has well-proportioned flowers with swept-back golden petals. It grows up to 30cm tall and blooms last for many weeks during March and April. This daffodil is very versatile, perfect for growing in pots or in mass plantings at the front of borders.

Narcissus ‘Thalia’ is another mid-season daffodil worth mentioning. It is a triandrus cultivar, flowering in mid-spring, and producing two, milk-white flowers per stem. These are about 5cm across, with small cups and narrow, slightly twisted outer petals; this is a long lived daffodil.

A good late daffodil would be Narcissus poeticus var. recurves, known as Pheasants Eye. This daffodil originates from arid high mountains both north and south of the Mediterranean, causing it to flower in late April. This is a beautiful little daffodil which has small cups in contrasting colours to the large white petals, with a sweet, citrusy scent, which can reach 40 cm in height.

The best time to plant daffodils is mid-September; this gives the bulbs the ideal amount of time to establish before flowering. Bulbs should be planted generally three times the height of the bulb, however, in heavy clay soil it is recommended to plant two times the height of the bulb. If planting into poor soils, incorporate plenty of organic matter for moisture retention. Double daffodils may also benefit from feeding and watering in dry spells. If planted into grass, allow six weeks after flowering before removing foliage.

One of the most common complaints from daffodil growers is their occasional failure to flower. This may be caused by pests such as narcissus eel worm, large narcissus fly or virus, but most usually it is caused by overcrowding bulbs resulting in lack of room, water and nutrients. Constant bulb division leads to bulb congestion, preventing bulbs reaching flowering size, instead only producing a mass of leaves. The solution is to every few years lift and divide daffodils as leaves are dying down in July.

Look after these big bloomers and they will reward you by gracing your garden year after year.

Jobs for the Week

• Where conditions allow, this is the time to start mowing your lawn.

• Prune coloured stems and winter shrubs.

• Prepare seed beds and sow seeds.

• General garden tidy up.

With thanks to Matthew Brewer, Horticulturist at RHS Garden Harlow Carr

DIARY DATES

Until 1 April: Bath House Gallery – Textiles Showcase

Browse and buy beautiful pieces made by talented local textile artists. From felt, applique, embroidery and woollen work, there will be something for everyone. Normal garden admission.

30 March – 16 April: Easter Holiday Fun & the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt

Hop down to the garden and join in the hunt for the Lindt Gold Bunnies. Enjoy stories with the madcapped garden detectives, Easter crafts and birds-of-prey demonstrations. Over the Easter weekend the Easter Bunny will be hopping by – joined by some real Easter baby animals. A daily Easter Trail starts a week earlier on 24 March. Normal garden admission.

As the UK’s leading gardening charity, the proceeds taken from events and tickets sales at all RHS gardens help to fund the many activities undertaken by the RHS to promote horticulture and help gardeners. For further information on all the above events please call 01423 565418.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane (off the B6162 Otley Road), Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB (if using Sat Nav use postcode HG3 1UE). Gardens open every day of the year, except Christmas Day, from 9.30am until 6pm (or 4pm Nov-Feb inclusive). Last entry 1 hour before closing. RHS Members (+ 1 Family guest) Free; Prices (excluding Gift Aid): Adult: £11.50; Child 5-16: £5.75, Under 5s: Free; Family: £29. Groups (10+): £9.50 Gardens: 01423 565418. Shop and Plant Centre: 01423 724666. Bettys Café Tea Rooms 01423 505604.

RHS Membership

Join the RHS at Harlow Carr and you’ll receive many exclusive benefits including: a monthly copy of ‘The Garden’ magazine; free entry (with a family guest) to RHS Gardens: Harlow Carr, Wisley, Rosemoor and Hyde Hall; free access to over 130 RHS recommended gardens throughout the UK at selected periods; free gardening advice; privileged tickets to world famous flower shows and much more. Call for more information.