One immortal April day in 1802, Dorothy Wordsworth penned a diary entry that would later inspire her brother to compose a rather famous poem: 'I never saw daffodils so beautiful,' she wrote, '. . . (they) tossed and reeled and danced and seemed as if they verily laughed with the wind that blew upon them.'
This gracefulness and movement is absent amongst the giant yellow thugs that appear on town-centre roundabouts in spring. Dorothy was eulogising about the much daintier native wild daffodil (or Lent lily), Narcissus pseudonarcissus. But she could have been writing about any number of species or old hybrid daffodils, which are far removed from today's bullish roundabout daffs, being so slender stemmed, with delicate flower shapes, quick to move on the breeze, and deliciously scented. These species and heritage varieties are well worth seeking out and, if you find yourself in Cornwall, they can be glimpsed en masse at Cotehele, which showcases them as daffodils are perhaps best grown: in the grass of an orchard, beneath the blossom, with different cultivars side by side, forming a tapestry of white, cream, yellow, and gold. They include 'Firebrand’ (1897), ‘Seagull’ (pre 1893) and ‘Bath's Flame' (pre 1913): each a sensation. But it isn't essential to hunt down these old-dame daffs to enjoy the magic and perfume of the best Narcissus – there are plenty of modern varieties that match the enchantment of the historic and species forms for a glorious springtime display.
For scent
In gardens with a degree of shelter, the perfume of Narcissus hanging on the air is sublime, and some varieties offer more fragrance than others. All the Jonquilla daffodils are reliable in this respect – for instance, bright-yellow 'Sweetness' and adorable lemon and white 'Lieke'; both grow to 30 centimetres. The Tazetta 'Geranium' is a hardy old timer (pre 1930) with crisp-white and orange rosettes on 30-centimetre stems, while 'Polar Hunter' is a recent introduction with stylish lime and white trumpets to 40 centimetres. Stuff windowboxes with short, fragrant narcissi (such as banana-coloured 'Sabrosa' and white and blonde 'Segovia') to enjoy the scent floating through open windows.
For pots
A jostle of containers filled with different shapes, sizes, and colours of Narcissus always looks splendid around the front door in spring. For medium-sized pots, 'Cragford' is an orange and white Tazetta, 'Petrel' is a willowy pure-white Triandrus, and 'Yellow Cheerfulness' produces clusters of double pastel yellow that resemble sugar-paste cake flowers. All three have a gorgeous scent and reach 45 centimetres. For small tubs, 'Minnow' is a scented yellow and lemon Tazetta and 'Toto' is a white miniature with cream trumpets; both grow to 20 centimetres. But sometimes the early part of the year demands bold colour to wake us up. Exploding out of the end of winter with no subtlety, the dwarf double 'Rip van Winkle' looks like a yellow paper star, and the flowers of the little hoop petticoat daffodil (N. bulbocodium) resemble golden foghorns declaring the start of spring.
For naturalising
Daffodils excel in grass, stony rough, and open woodland, which are their natural habitats and where they will spread, forming patchy carpets of flowers. The species daffodils, of course, fit effortlessly into naturalistic garden design, especially the gold and primrose Lent lily (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), but also the all-gold native Tenby daffodil (N. obvallaris), which grows wild in Wales: being short in stature, it is not overwhelming in its yellowness and looks charming mixed with the Lent lily, both of them reaching 20 to 30 centimetres. Lots of hybrids also spread happily in grass, including the little Cylamineus 'Snipe' and the taller scented white Tazetta 'Silver Chimes', which makes a good cut flower; both are lemon and white. But if you like the romance of the heritage varieties, the very beautiful 'White Lady' (pre 1989) is one of daffodil guru Ron Scamp's favourites for naturalising.
For light shade
In woodland gardens, daffodils bloom before the leaves open fully. The little Narcissus cyclamineus kicks off the show, with windswept golden locks in February and March. Many of its hybrids (including 'Jenny') also fare well amongst the trees, perhaps jumbled with other early bulbs, such as snowdrops, pink Cyclamen coum, and blue scilla. The reduced light of woodland areas suits more shade-tolerant daffodils and those with white flowers. The wild swan's neck (N. moschatus) fits both criteria, as does the slightly taller Triandrus 'Ice Wings'; both bloom in March. The very elegant and reliable 'Thalia' brings up the rear in April, filling the air with delicate scent from pure-white blooms on 30 to 45-centimetre stems.
For cutting
Most daffodils make fabulous cut flowers, but some are made for the vase. The orange and yellow multi-headed Tazetta 'Martinette' (45 centimetres) will fill a room with fragrance, as will the ivory and yellow 'Erlicheer' (40 centimetres), which produces dense heads of double flowers that look like satin sewing roses. The white Triandrus 'Starlight Sensation' (30 centimetres) is beautifully gracile and exudes a lovely perfume, and not much beats a huge vaseful of good old 'Actaea' (45 centimetres), an heirloom white Pheasant's eye with a small red and yellow cup and a knockout scent.
For borders
Many daffodils aren't the best border plants because the foliage is big and bulky and must be left in situ to ensure flowers the following season. Therefore, opt for varieties with slender, attractive chive-like leaves, such as 'Hawera' (primrose yellow) and 'More and More' (golden yellow).
How to plant daffodils
Plant in autumn (ideally, the early half, before the weather chills) in well-drained, retentive soil, in sheltered sun or semi-shade. If possible, get the bulbs in the ground as soon as you receive them from your supplier. Plant at a depth of 3 times the height of the bulb. If growing in pots, plant just below the surface of a mix of loam-based compost and grit (or sharp sand).
