Narcissus pachybolbus and other tazettas
Jane McGary (Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:08:38 PDT)
In the newest BX list is1. Narcissus pachybulbos Few small
bulbs. This rarity is best
suited to a mild climate gardens only. It has notoriously large bulbs
up to 3 inches in diameter and robust foliage with tiny (teensy)
flowers of perfect daffodil shape, but less than 3/4 in. in diameter.
It is related to the Tazetta group and flowers though small are very
fragrant.
Note the spelling of the species is "pachybolbus" (vowels got
reversed). It is regarded as a good species by Blanchard but he notes
that Webb proposes lumping it with N. papyraceus; it comes from North
Africa. I grew it in the bulb frame for many years but have now found
that it's hardy outdoors here in western Oregon, with typical winter
temperatures in the mid-teens F. Most tazettas don''t flourish in the
open garden at my place, including "paperwhites" and the pretty
bicolored ones. Another that does well outdoors, however, is N.
panizzianus, mostly from the Iberian Peninsula. I lost N. italicus in the open.
Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA