My Garden in Daffodil Season, Week 3


In the last week, we've had a few days of warm weather, a tornado in the area, and then cooler temperatures. Nighttime temperature has gone to near freezing once, but so far, no frost. That's a good thing, since the redbuds are open now, and hostas and other plants are coming up. And some peonies have buds.

The daffodils like the cooler temperatures, and have responded with deeper coloring in the cups. And as it's now further into daffodil season, we're seeing more flowers with white perianths. Cup colors vary, from yellow, pink, orange, almost to red. Also, more jonquil hybrids are beginning to bloom. All yellow 'Oregon Gold' is making a bold statement in the garden, and it also has the added bonus of fragrance.

'Milford,' in white and orange is standing straight and tall and holding its color well. Another with similar coloring is 'Orange Walk.' Doubles and triandrus hybrids are also coming into bloom. 'Ice Wings' is an all white flower which is always welcome. It is one of the few triandrus hybrids which I can keep growing from year to year. 'Johanna,' in shades of softest yellow, is another. 'Unique' is one of the first reliable doubles to bloom. Many doubles are subject to "blasting," when the bud dries up and fails to open.

More pinks continue to open, and this week 'Culmination,' with its solid pink cup, and 'Savoir Faire,' with its broad bank of pink on the rim joined the parade. Others include 'High Society,' 'Volare,' 'Soprano,' and 'Ethereal Beauty,' with the narrowest band of pink on the cup.

Breeders are developing more and more flowers with orange petals. These tend to fade in the sun, but do add another color in the garden. Try 'Bandesara,' 'Limbo,' 'Prairie Fire,' or 'Sabine Hay,' to name a few.

Short-cupped daffodils are opening now, too, and I think my favorite of the week is the white and yellow 'Montpier.' This tallish flower is one of my own seedlings, and my husband often said it was the "best flower on the place." (But of course he wasn't prejudiced!) So in his honor, 'Montpier' it is.

The copyright of the article My Garden in Daffodil Season, Week 3 in Daffodils is owned by Mary Lou Gripshover. Permission to republish My Garden in Daffodil Season, Week 3 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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