About

A bulbocodium daffodil, 10-20cm high, with green leaves and a long flowering season of upward-facing flowers about 4cm across, cream flushed with yellow towards the base, composed of lance-shaped perianth segments about 1.5cm long and cup-shaped coronas about 2cm long, in early spring.

About the genus

Narcissus are bulbous herbaceous perennials with linear leaves and leafless stems bearing flowers, which may be solitary or in umbels, with 6 spreading perianth segments and a cup or trumpet-shaped corona

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Rock garden, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, tortoises): Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

Care notes

CultivationPlant bulbs in autumn, at one-and-a-half times their own depth, slightly deeper in light soils and in grass, in neutral to acidic soil that is moist during the growing season, in full sun or light dappled shade; for more advice, see daffodil cultivation
PruningDeadhead as the flowers fade, but allow the leaves to die down naturally
PropagationPropagate by division: separate and replant offsets as the leaves fade in early summer, or in early autumn before new roots are produced
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, narcissus bulb fly, narcissus eelworm, and bulb scale mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to narcissus basal rot, narcissus leaf scorch or daffodil viruses