SPECIES DAFFODILS
The Pseudonarcissus Section includes N. asturiensis and N. longispathus mentioned above, as well as N. hispanicus, N. obvallaris, and N. pseudonarcissus. These all have the general shape and coloring of the image that comes to mind when you mention "daffodils." Most in the Pseudonarcissus Section have yellow flowers, but there are some white ones and bicolors among them.
N. poeticus var. recurvus is known to many gardeners as "Pheasant's Eye." The plant comes to us from the mountains of Switzerland, and is usually the last to bloom in the garden. It has a wonderful fragrance. The petals are purest white, and the small cups are rimmed in red. As the majority of hybrids available to gardeners are descendents of one of the N. poeticus species crossed with daffodils from the Pseudonarcissus Section, this small red rim in the N. poeticus species contributed all the genetic material for color in today's modern daffodils.
N. jonquilla is a fragrant member of the clan. It is found only in Europe, seldom outside of Spain and Portugal. Most are plants of lowlands and river valleys. It often sends up foliage in the fall, and has been naturalized in many areas of the South. It has foliage that looks like wild onions, and inch-wide yellow blooms, borne three or four to an 8-inch stem.
The charming little "Angel's Tears," N. triandrus var. triandrus, is much loved, but difficult to come by, and sometimes difficult to grow. It seems to like drying off over the summer. Its pendent pose and one to three blooms with creamy-white reflexed petals per stem, make it easy to identify.
N. bulbocodium is readily available in garden stores in the fall. These little "hoop petticoats" add a bright note to the garden. In nature they grow where the water stands in the spring, but goes totally dry in the summer. So pick your planting site appropriately.
If you want to grow ANY plant species, you should determine the plant's requirements first. If you can't meet the requirements, don't try to grow the plant. Try the hybrids instead. They're usually more tolerant of growing conditions.
If you're interested in learning about the narcissus species, the book Narcissus, A Guide to Wild Daffodils is absolutely the best book available. It's written by John Blanchard, who has had extensive experience studying daffodils in their natural habitats, and published by the Alpine Garden Society, UK. It is also available from the American
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