narcissus, David Pilling

David Pilling david@davidpilling.com
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 04:21:21 PST
Hi,

On 17/11/2016 11:36, Jane Sargent wrote:
> Why would they flower only once, in 2017?

Poisoned ground. Perhaps the experts can tell me why, there are places 
in the garden where narcissus (and tulips) do not survive more than one 
season.

This "front garden" has had tulips and daffodils planted in the same 
narrow strip for many years. To put failure beyond doubt, every Summer 
it hosts bedding plants. By Autumn there are no bulbs left.

Yes, I have planted daffodils and they've flowered for tens of years and 
formed clumps. But I have also often seen one years flowering and then 
nothing.

If I wanted daffodils to succeed in the long run I would plant them 
somewhere where there have been no daffodils previously.

> My grandmother planted mixed
> narcissus in 1916.

That's impressive. I believe that horticulture has lost many varieties. 
For example it is said that when you buy "King Alfred" daffodils they're 
not the same as the originals from 1899. Perhaps they live on somewhere. 
I know of King Alfred daffs planted in the 70s.

The North of England is fine for narcissus, think Mr. Wordsworth writing 
his poem, the place is covered in them in Spring, but not every spot is 
guaranteed success.


-- 
David Pilling
http://www.davidpilling.com/



More information about the pbs mailing list