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Of course daffodils have been busy filling the fields of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire in the famous Golden Triangle of Kempley, Oxenhall and Dymock, where thousands of our native species Narcissus pseudonarcissus have been appreciated by many during the special daffodil weekends in recent weeks. There is nothing like viewing these wild wonders in their natural setting and we are lucky in this part of the world to have some of the best displays in the country.
Further afield, Hever Castle in Kent boasts a glorious display of many varieties – although the detail here that I love in particular are the daffodil-shaped beds that have been discovered in recent years. This was thanks to a malfunctioning lawnmower which happened upon four beds laid out in this unusual pattern. Narcissus were a particular favourite of William Waldorf Astor, famed American owner of Hever Castle at the beginning of the 20th century. Obviously keen to showcase one of his favourite flowers, he had Roman well heads placed at the centre of the surrounding petal borders to act as trumpets and no doubt create a real talking point! The beds are now full of box to provide year round shape and the well heads are overflowing with daffodils – such an unusual and attractive idea!
The RHS are also giving you plenty of daffodil opportunities this month, with their Early Daffodil Competition on the 2nd & 3rd April and their Daffodil Show on the 16th & 17th April –
both at RHS Wisley, only a couple of hours drive away on the M4/M25. Also worth a visit is the RHS Spring Launch & Orchid Show at the RHS Halls in the centre of London running from 8th - 10th April. Last year I came away with many a stunning daffodil, in fact so many that I received strange looks on the train, as I tried to juggle plants, coffee and bags!
Away from the show bench, Taylors Bulbs celebrate their centenary this year and in conjunction with the RHS are holding a Daffodil Day on Wednesday 10th April in Lincolnshire – see over 400 different types of daffodil in their growing area, hear talks and see the machinery used at this bulb producing giant. Well worth a trip, daffodils en masse are divine!
As to which daffodils I recommend for your garden… well ‘Thalia’ is the real IT girl of the Narcissi set – she’s in every society garden – sophisticated white, she is a real miniature stunner. Be sure to buy some poeticus as these will be your late flowerers and can take you through to May. ‘White Lady’ is beautiful and a real heritage cultivar – I had hundreds under the apple trees in my Charlton Kings garden – the older varieties on the whole are more delicate with slimmer petals than some of the recent introductions. Finally for a quirky option, look up ‘Rip van Winkle’. Such an unusual little chap with so much character and definitely one for you to hunt down in the autumn as you plan ahead for next spring. Back to this spring for now though and I urge you to take time and enjoy some of these fantastic daffodil events, I may see you there!
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THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE CAMI L LA BAS S E T T - SMI TH
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