My Victorian Garden in Spring: Heirloom Daffodils and Other Bulbs
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Gardening with Antique Perennial Daffodils and Other Heirloom Spring Bulbs
This page features antique and heirloom daffodils and other spring blooming bulbs that we grow in our own garden.
Read and learn about rare hard-to-find species narcissus/daffodils from as far back as the 17th and 18th centuries, with lots of photos of the antique perennial daffodils and other heirloom spring flowers we grow from bulbs.
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
You will also find some fun features including polls and a quizz, so have fun and enjoy our garden tour.
Gardening with Antique Perennial Daffodils and Other Heirloom Spring Bulbs is the second in our Victorian Garden series, a companion to Gardening with Rare and Unusual Perennial Tulips and Growing Heirloom and Old-Fashioned Roses.
Our zone 5 garden is very much still a work in progress and is being created to go with our 1880 Queen Anne Victorian. We try to stick to plants favored in the Victorian era, although we are not that strict about that for now. As we discover more age-appropriate bulbs and plants we will pass some of the "newer" heirlooms on to our neighbors and clients who own later homes such as craftsman, bungalow, cottage, and four square styles that were built circa 1900 through the 1920s.
Contents at a Glance
- The Advantages of Gardening with Heirloo...
- Queen Anne's Double Jonquil, 1611
- Weather Alert: We Interrupt this Page
- "Rescued" Queen Anne's Double...
- Narcissus 'Stella'
- Dreamlight Daffodil - New for April 2012
- N. Poeticus Recurvus (pre-1600s)
- Narcissus 'Butter and Eggs'
- Are You Narcissistic or Tulip-rific?
The Advantages of Gardening with Heirloom Bulbs
T
here are many advantages to gardening with heirloom bulbs. Many of these older types are hardier and many antique varieties of daffodils are perfumed with lovely scents reminiscent
of jasmine and gardenias.
More recent hybrids may be bigger or come in unusual colors (pink daffodils, anyone?) but, as far as we and plants are concerned, bigger and/or different is not necessarily better.
We'll be adding to this page as the late bloomers open and nod their heads toward my camera, so please bookmark this lens or follow us on twitter
for updates and notices.
Queen Anne's Double Jonquil, 1611
N. jonquilla 'Flore Pleno'
A gorgeous 2012 additionto Our Victorian Garden.
'Flora Pleno' is one of the rarest and most difficult to find daffodils. The folks at Old House Gardens call Queen Anne's Double Jonquils "prom dresses for honeybees," and describe them as "swooningly fragrant." I couldn't have said it better myself.
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
One of my personal favorites, the "Queen" is a full flower that is smaller and much more refined than it's larger cousin, the double campernelle (shown further down on this page). It has a light ethereal look despite being packed with petals.
N. jonquilla 'Flore Pleno' is about 10 inches tall and although rated for zone 6, as you can see from the photo, does beautifully in my zone 5 garden in a bed with a western exposure.
The bloom has not fully opened in the photo, but we will update it in a day or two when the petals unfold. (Update 4/24/12: Photo added below. Please scroll down to second photo that follows.)
Weather Alert: We Interrupt this Page
....April 23, 2012
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
The week of April 17th was unseasonably warm, as was most of March and April. Everything was blooming about a month earlier than usual. When we woke up on the morning of Monday, the 23rd of April, we found everything covered with snow.
My beloved "Glory of the Sun" tulip was crushed and broken from the weight of the heavy wet snow. Queen Anne's jonquils were buried, but I dug them out, cut the frozen blossoms, and placed them in some water in the house. All but one eventually opened, their gentle sweet scent drifting in the air. (You can see a photo below)
However, I regret to report that we lost two other early tulips that would have bloomed this week, and most of the remaining daffodils. I expect that mid- and late-season tulips and other spring bulbs will bloom fine, except for the few whose stems were snapped in two by the snow.
BTW - that beautiful arc of branches framing the top of the photo is a usually upright branch from a neighbor's tall old birch tree bent by the snow. We still have some snow outside, and may get another inch or two before tomorrow, but hope that is the last of it. The late snow is not unusual in Central New York -- but the warmer weather that preceded it this year certainly is an anomaly.
"Rescued" Queen Anne's Double Jonquils
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
Narcissus 'Stella'
A "New" (for us) Heirloom Daffodil from 1869
'Stella' is, as the name suggests, a star-like daffodil in two shades of the prettiest yellow.
She has a small ruffled darker yellow trumpet surrounded by narrow graceful petals in a soft lemon hue.
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
N. Stella is a new addition to our garden (planted fall 2011, first blooms mid-April 2012).
Doesn't it make you happy just to see her?
Dreamlight Daffodil - New for April 2012
A Daffodil Society Award Winner
Dating only to the 1930s, 'Dreamlight' is one of the babies in our garden in more ways than one. We planted this in the fall of 2011 and this is the first time this ethereal flower has bloomed in our yard.© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
The photo does not do justice to the enchanting soft colors of ths nacissus --It is unusually colored with a beigey eye surrounded by an apricot or peach colored ribbon, set against a halo of rounded white petals. But don't be deceived by its delicate appearance. 'Dreamlight' is a superb performer and great naturalizer.
N. Poeticus Recurvus (pre-1600s)
Poet's Narcissus / Pheasant's Eye
The fragrant Poet's Narcissus grows wild in Spain and appears in English herbals from the early 1600s, although presumably was known prior to that, at leastin Spain.
© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
In the United States, Pheasant's Eye or Poet's Narcissus dates to colonial times when settlers brought some of the precious bulbs from Europe for their own gardens. 12-14 inches, zones 4-6.
Narcissus 'Butter and Eggs'
A Survivor from 1776
The 'Butter and Eggs' Daffodil is an heirloom from the southern United States, but hardy to zone 5.
At least as old as its native country, this double yellow daffodil has survived as a privately shared 'passalong' plant for over 235 years.
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
The 'Butter and Eggs' daffodil can be distinguished from the few similar doubles available today because it has center petals a little bit darker than the outer petals.
Are You Narcissistic or Tulip-rific?
Do You Prefer Tulips or Daffodils?
Tulips are better than One (and better than daffs too)
DebMartin says:
I only choose the tulips because they are so rare in my garden. Daffodils volunteer themselves everywhere. Wish I knew the secret to tulips. d
One4Nell says:
I love them both. But since I have to choose, I'm leaning toward tulips.
KonaGirl says:
That is what I miss about no longer being a home owner. Seeing the crocus, daffodils and tulips come up in the spring.It is difficult choosing between the two as I love them both, but I have to say that purple tulips are my favorite of the two.
OneFootPutt says:
A field of tulips always makes me smile. One daffodil does the same.
mihgasper says:
My vote goes to tulips!
I'm Daffy over Daffodils (no reflection on tulip lovers)
DarleneN says:
Both are gorgeous, but I do prefer daffodils. They grow wild in TN, and I loved to see their happy sunny faces early in spring, when I lived there!
FledglingStudio_com says:
They both have their place, but daffs usually burst into bloom earlier than tulips, so I choose daffodils.
Pastiche says:
I love tulips but daffodils are what bring so much cheer to me in early spring.
lilPinkfairy288 says:
I love both but I guess I have to choose one.
flycatcher says:
Much as I love tulips, my preference is for daffodils - I blame Wordsworth. ;)
More Heirloom Daffodils
MARY COPELAND, 1913 (Photos taken in 2011)
© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
Our Mystery Daffodil - Can You Identify It?
A Surprise Appearance in April 2012
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
For the first time this year, we had two unusual blooms in one of our groupings of 'Mary Copeland' Daffodils (see previous photo). They look pretty much the same as 'Mary' and have the same scent, but the outer petals are yellow fading to white instead of white.
These beauties do not match any variety we have ordered or planted, and we haven't been able to identify it through our research.
Could it be a sport of Mary Copeland or a mis-identified bulb? What do you think?
We'd Appreciate Your Help...
Heirloom Narcissus Poeticus Plenus 'Daphne'
aka Double Poet's Daffodil
The Heirloom Daffodil 'Daphne' is a sport of Narcissus Oderatus that was discovered prior to 1914. It blooms mid- to late season and grows to about 12 inches tall. Best of all, 'Daphne' has a wonderful spicy sweet fragrance that reminds me
of gardenias.
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
'Daphne' is one of the few daffodils that is suited
to growing in warmer climates and is rated for
zones 4 to 11.
Narcissus Mrs. Langtry
Named for the Victorian Actress, Lily Langtry
© 2012 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
Dating to 1869, the graceful Mrs. Langtry
is a very rare yellow-cupped white daffodil
that stands about 16 inches tall. Zones 5-7.
Narcissus medioluteus
aka 'Twin Sisters'
Twin Sisters Daffodil, known as the wildflower 'Primrose Peerless' prior to 1597, has two blooms per stem in white with small lemon yellow cups. It has also been called April Beauty, Cemetery Ladies, and Loving Couples.© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
Stands about 12-14 inches tall and, although usually indicated as appropriate for zones 6-8, it does fine in our zone 5 garden, where it usually blooms and scents the air in early to mid-May.
Double Campernelle, 1601
Narcissus x odorus 'Plenus'
Double Campernelle is a favorite daffodil from
over 400 years ago. It is a cheerful medium yellow
-- a shade that is neither too soft nor too strong. Narcissus x odorus 'Plenus' has a scent that
reminds me of jasmine.
© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
Fragrant and double for a triple delight.
10-12 inches tall. Zone 5-8a.
"My heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils"
William Wordsworth Memo Cube
Narcissus Thalia
Multiple Blooms and Scented
Another lovely scented daffodil, the exquisite Narcissus Thalia dates to 1916.
© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
It is the oldest cultivated form of the wild N. triandrus and will grow 14 to 16 inches tall in zones 4 through 8.
Narcissus 'White Lady'
An old fashioned daffodil from 1897
With a ruffled yellow cup and pristine white petals, 'White Lady' was a favorite of Mrs. King, the founder of the Garden Club of America and author of nine garden books. Mrs. King called 'White Lady' "A regal beauty." It is easy to see why.
© 2011 CJS.
All Rights Reserved.
White lady grows to about 16 inches tall and is suitable for zones 5 through 8a. This is one of the rarest of the heirloom daffs.
Which is your favorite heirloom Daffodil?
Grow Your Own Heirloom Daffodils
And other historic plants
Artwork for the Lover of Daffodils
Daffodils by William Gersham Collingwood
Available at Available at AllPosters.com in a range of formats and styles to suit your personal decorating style and pocketbook.
Narcissus
by Pierre-Joseph Redouté
The Giclee printing process delivers a fine stream of ink resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for museum or gallery display. This art print is produced on a heavy 310 gsm, acid-free and watercolor textured paper.
It is Available at AllPosters.com in a variety of formats and sizes to suit all styles of decor and budgets.
Daffodils and Lemons
(Jonquilles et Citrons)
by Isy Ochoa
Available at AllPosters.com in a variety of formats and sizes, framed, mounted, or unframed.
How Daffy Savvy Are You?
Narcissus, 1912
by John William Waterhouse
Neo-Classical artist John William Waterhouse (1849 - 1917) was a renowned Neo-Classical artist known for lifelike, hauntingly sensual paintings. Born in Italy and raised in England, Waterhouse preferred historical, mythological, and literary subjects. His work had strong romantic Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian influences.
It is Available at AllPosters.com in a variety of formats and sizes to suit your decorating style and budget.
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There's more to come....
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More for Daffodil Lovers
Share Your Love of Daffodils
With the World How
Assorted Other Bulbs
Crocus chrysanthus 1914
© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
Muscari Botryoides
Grape Hyacinth
Muscari botryoides is a vigorous, cold-hardy (z3-7) blue grape hyacinth that dates to 1576. 6-8 inches tall with long-lasting blooms. Not readily available, having been replaced by modern armeniacum and aucheri hybrids, but worth searching for, especially if you live in colder regions.
© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.
Recommended Garden Resources
Decorative & Practical
(We use Soil Logic ourselves. It is FANTASTIC! AND it's organic and safe to use!)
Allium Karataviense
aka Turkestan onion
© 2011 CJS. All Rights Reserved.This ornamental dwarf onion blooms in spring for three or four weeks in shades of ivory to soft pink/lavender. With sweetly scented large (to five inches in diameter) globular flower heads, this allium is grown as much for its hosta-like blue-gray-green foliage as for its blooms. A lovely short, sturdy, decorative additon to gardens in zones 5 through 8.
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Your Feedback is very important to us.
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DarleneN
Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:33 pm | delete
- Beautiful lens! You've inspired me to plant some daffodil bulbs this fall!
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MareeT
Apr 18, 2012 @ 12:25 am | delete
- Love this lens! Just beautiful and it makes me smile!
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kindoak
Apr 11, 2012 @ 1:17 am | delete
- Informative page! Selecting flowers to plant is always difficult. I tend to go for those that have scent, like the Narcissus Thalia.
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AlleyCatLane
Apr 9, 2012 @ 10:38 am | delete
- I love your antique flower lenses. Please let us get a peek of your gardens in landscape view, not just the close-ups. You must live in such a beautiful environment.
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---Chazz
Apr 9, 2012 @ 10:46 am | delete
- Thanks "Alley" - you can see a bit more of the garden in pictures I have on red gage. Hopefully will have more this year as these photos were taken while we were still putting in the hardscape and designing the gardens. Our garden is actually rather tiny as we have a small triangle shaped corner lot, but we try to maximize every little square inch of it.
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For Daffs, Tulips, and other bulbs
Dr. Earth 700P Organic 1 Bulb Fertilizer in Poly Bag, 4-Pound
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 06/03/2012)
People and pet safe, this 100% organic fertilizer provides the perfect combination (3-15-2) of natural ingredients to foster the healthies, biggest, and best blooms from your bulbs by optimizing nutrients naturally and loosening and improving soil structure.
Make Planting Bulbs A Pleasure
With this back saving planter
Yard Butler BPL-6 Long Handled Bulb Planter
Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 06/03/2012)
Sturdy, fast and easy to use plus economical. Save your back and easily plant as many bulbs as you want with this step-on bulb planter. We've had others that have broken easily but this one is not only a great deal -- it lasts and makes bulb planting a pleasure, even in rocky clay soil.
