Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Fall Bulbs 2017: The 9 Best Daffodils to Order Now

Search

Start typing to search...

Search
BulbsIssue 37 — British Isles Design

Fall Bulbs 2017: The 9 Best Daffodils to Order Now

September 25, 2017

Have you ordered your fall bulbs yet? If not, do it today (the best varieties sell out fast). We’ve rounded up our favorite new offerings from the daffodil family (or do you say narcissus)—along with a few fragrant, rare, and antique flowers we can’t resist.

Most daffodils will come back year after year in a temperate climate (see growing zone tips in the captions below):

Narcissus ‘Blushing Lady’

A new offering from John Scheeper&#8\2\17;s this year, Narcissus &#8\2\16;Blushing Lady&#8\2\17; (\10 bulbs for \$7) was first cultivated from seed in \2003 by Brent C. Heath (of Brent and Becky&#8\2\17;s Bulbs, where Blushing Lady Daffodil also is available for \$3.45 for five bulbs). For UK gardeners:  Narcissus &#8\2\16;Blushing Lady&#8\2\17; bulbs are \10 for £9.99 from Thompson & Morgan.
Above: A new offering from John Scheeper’s this year, Narcissus ‘Blushing Lady’ (10 bulbs for $7) was first cultivated from seed in 2003 by Brent C. Heath (of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, where Blushing Lady Daffodil also is available for $3.45 for five bulbs). For UK gardeners:  Narcissus ‘Blushing Lady’ bulbs are 10 for £9.99 from Thompson & Morgan.
The official description of ‘Blushing Lad’ (from the American Daffodil Society’s database of more than 25,000 named varieties): “Soft yellow with halo at base of cup; at maturity edges of cup develop pink flush; three blooms per stem.” They had us at “pink flush.”

Narcissus ‘Double Itzim’

A variant of &#8\2\16;Itzim&#8\2\17; (which has deep yellow coloring and orange-red mouth), &#8\2\16;Double Itzim&#8\2\17; has a ruffled double flower. Hybridized by Wim Lemmers and H.M. Meeuwissen in the Netherlands about \15 years ago, it is available from Meeuwissen; five bulbs for €6.50.
Above: A variant of ‘Itzim’ (which has deep yellow coloring and orange-red mouth), ‘Double Itzim’ has a ruffled double flower. Hybridized by Wim Lemmers and H.M. Meeuwissen in the Netherlands about 15 years ago, it is available from Meeuwissen; five bulbs for €6.50.

Narcissus ‘Edinburgh’

Ruffled Narcissus &#8\2\16;Edinburgh&#8\2\17; was named after the city in Scotland. Hybridized by P.Q.M. Pennings in the Netherlands, it grows to a height of \18 inches and is strongly scented. Colors range from orange-pink to vivid yellow at its base; five bulbs for £6 from RV Roger.
Above: Ruffled Narcissus ‘Edinburgh’ was named after the city in Scotland. Hybridized by P.Q.M. Pennings in the Netherlands, it grows to a height of 18 inches and is strongly scented. Colors range from orange-pink to vivid yellow at its base; five bulbs for £6 from RV Roger.

Narcissus ‘Eleanor Auchincloss’

A new introduction from White Flower Farm, &#8\2\16;Eleanor Auchincloss&#8\2\17; is named after the nursery founder&#8\2\17;s granddaughter. Hardy in growing zones 3-8 South (and to zone 9 in the West), six bulbs are \$\15.75.
Above: A new introduction from White Flower Farm, ‘Eleanor Auchincloss’ is named after the nursery founder’s granddaughter. Hardy in growing zones 3-8 South (and to zone 9 in the West), six bulbs are $15.75.

Narcissus ‘Geranium’

Producing up to six flowers per stem, Narcissus Tazetta &#8\2\16;Geranium&#8\2\17; has a strong fragrance and is one of our longtime favorites. Originally hybridized by J.B. van der Schoot in the Netherlands (before \1930), it is \$9.95 for \10 bulbs from Bulbs Direct. Photograph by Takashi M via Flickr.
Above: Producing up to six flowers per stem, Narcissus Tazetta ‘Geranium’ has a strong fragrance and is one of our longtime favorites. Originally hybridized by J.B. van der Schoot in the Netherlands (before 1930), it is $9.95 for 10 bulbs from Bulbs Direct. Photograph by Takashi M via Flickr.
Narcissus ‘King Alfred’

An antique variety of trumpet daffodil, golden &#8\2\16;King Alfred&#8\2\17; by English grower John Kendall, the \19th century. Reported the Gardener&#8\2\17;s Chronicle in \1899: &#8\2\20;This flower named King Alfred appears to be the outcome of a cross between N. Emperor and Maximus. The large bloom of rich uniform gold, and thick substance, recalls the features of both parents.&#8\2\2\1; A bag of \10 King Alfred bulbs is \$\13.95 at Eden Brothers. Photograph by David Boté Estrada via Flickr.
Above: An antique variety of trumpet daffodil, golden ‘King Alfred’ by English grower John Kendall, the 19th century. Reported the Gardener’s Chronicle in 1899: “This flower named King Alfred appears to be the outcome of a cross between N. Emperor and Maximus. The large bloom of rich uniform gold, and thick substance, recalls the features of both parents.” A bag of 10 King Alfred bulbs is $13.95 at Eden Brothers. Photograph by David Boté Estrada via Flickr.

Narcissus ‘Minnow’

One of our favorite miniature daffodils, Narcissus Minnow was hybridized by Alec Gray in England in the early \1960s. Useful in clumps to fill in empty spots in the garden, it grows to a height of \1\2.8 inches; 50 for \$\19 at Brent and Becky&#8\2\17;s Bulbs.
Above: One of our favorite miniature daffodils, Narcissus Minnow was hybridized by Alec Gray in England in the early 1960s. Useful in clumps to fill in empty spots in the garden, it grows to a height of 12.8 inches; 50 for $19 at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.

Narcissus ‘Night Cap’

For a similar daffodil with a ruffled coral-red center, consider Narcissus &#8\2\16;Night Cap&#8\2\17;, hybridized by Brian Duncan of Northern Ireland and a new offering from Van Engelen Inc.; 50 bulbs for \$53.\25. Another similar choice is  Firetail if you garden in USDA growing zones 5a-7b (or to 9b on the West Coast). It is among the rarest flowers Old House Gardens offers; five bulbs for \$\16.
Above: For a similar daffodil with a ruffled coral-red center, consider Narcissus ‘Night Cap’, hybridized by Brian Duncan of Northern Ireland and a new offering from Van Engelen Inc.; 50 bulbs for $53.25. Another similar choice is  Firetail if you garden in USDA growing zones 5a-7b (or to 9b on the West Coast). It is among the rarest flowers Old House Gardens offers; five bulbs for $16.
‘Firetail’, introduced in 1910, is a descendant of the ancient Narcissus poeticus. Also known as Pheasant Eye narcissus, these varieties are fragrant, with “elegant white petals set off to great effect by a small, red-rimmed cup,” writes Kendra. See more in Gardening 101: Pheasant Eye Narcissus.

Narcissus ‘Primo’

Photograph by Howard Sooley. For more, see Order the World&#8\2\17;s Best Narcissi Online, But Please Don&#8\2\17;t Call Them Daffodils.
Above: Photograph by Howard Sooley. For more, see Order the World’s Best Narcissi Online, But Please Don’t Call Them Daffodils.

A long-time favorite of Kendra: Tazetta Daffodil Grand Primo is deer-resistant and hardy in growing zones 4-9. A bag of 100 bulbs is $32.50 from Dutch Bulbs.

N.B: Placing a bulb order or designing a spring garden? See more ideas:

Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for daffodils with our Daffodils: A Field Guide.

Interested in other bulbs and tubers for your garden or indoor space? Get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various bulbs and tubers with our Bulbs & Tubers: A Field Guide.

Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various perennial plants with our Perennials: A Field Guide.

(Visited 234 times, 2 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.
Add to Collection
New Collection

Product summary  

Explore Deeper Into These Areas

Previous Post

Fire Cider: A Natural Remedy for Back-to-School Season

September 25, 2017
Next Post

10 Easy Pieces: Garden Trugs

September 26, 2017

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

Related Stories

Read all recent posts

join us on Instagram Logo

gardenista_sourcebook

Sourcebook for Cultivated Living, sister site to @remodelista
Tag us using #gardenista 🌿🌱

Gardens & Outdoor Living

v5.0

×
Join the Remodelista Family of Websites

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

Or Subscribe for Maximum Value!

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Sorry! As a registered member you get 10 free posts from our archive (posts more than a year old) every 30 days. You have reached your limit for this 30-day period. If you would like to access unlimited posts from the archive (ad free, too), become a subscriber today, and keep reading as many articles as you want.

Full Access Individual Subscription

Benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home sites
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay just 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99


×
Sorry! You have reached your limit of three (3) free posts from our archive every 30 days. You can increase this to 10 posts by joining as a free Member, or read unlimited posts with no ads by becoming a paid Subscriber.

Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

My Account

Your member profile is powered by memberstack