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British Isles Daffodils

© Clay Higgins

Background

The British Isles for purpose of this article includes Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland. As far back as the pre-American Revolutionary War era, British daffodils have decorated American gardens, and are still a strong influence in American Daffodils. The British have made a major influence, historically, on the American gardens. However, in modern times, I'm not sure where the major influences in American gardening were derived. However, it's safe to say that many of the daffodils now raised by the commercial Dutch growers were hybridized by the British. And, most definitely, the commercial Dutch growers sell more bulbs in America then any other sector.

Introduction to British Isles Bulb Growers

It's that time again on the calendar when catalogs from the British Isles are here. Each year I look forward to the new listings of luscious delights that arrive. It's time to order, and get those bulbs ready to come to us for fall planting.

There is always interesting and tempting morsels from Brian Duncan, at Brian Duncan Daffodils. He has so many introductions it is hard to keep up with all of them. When I first met Brian in Baltimore in 1996, he stated that he loved to dance, and had named a daffodil after all the dances. I'm not that good at dancing on the hardwood, but you can see me in my garden with a rather large repertoire, thanks to Brian. Since that time, I've noticed that Brian has moved from dances to more of the World's landmarks, and "catchy" names as daffodils.

John Pearson comes to us from Hoffland Daffodils with his interesting reverse bi-colors with the deep substance and overlapping perianth segments. His 'Altun Ha' has revolutionized the reverse bi-colors, and brought us a number of quality siblings, all at the same time. No one realized that 'Camolot' and 'Daydream' would have such an impact on a small sub-division. I find that most of his introductions are show stoppers. John's daffodils are strongly represented in my garden.

Sir Frank has made some substantial inroads at Ballydorn Daffodils with his "wind-resistant" introductions. I'm beginning to find that they do well in my garden, after a period of adjustment. The flower heads are held tall, and don't get as much foliage lashing in the wind as short stemmed daffodils will receive. I have had good luck with the few varieties of Ballydorn daffodils that I grow.

Ron Scamp, R.A. Scamp Daffodils, always has his collections of narcissus hybrids and has become an important source of divisions 5 and higher. Ron is also a hybridizer of note, and I've made some efforts to use introductions of his own making with success. Ron has said that his hybridizing program is small, but his introductions are well received.