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Daffodils RHS Award of Garden Merit Toxic

Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus

Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus

Pheasant's Eye is the latest-flowering daffodil, producing powerfully fragrant white flowers with a tiny red-rimmed yellow cup in May. Found wild in Alpine meadows, it naturalises beautifully in damp British grassland. One of the oldest cultivated daffodils and still one of the most sweetly scented.

Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus (Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus) in bloom

Where to plant

Best aspect

South-facingEast-facingWest-facing

Border position

Front of borderMiddle of border

When to plant and expect flowers

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
🌱
🌱
🌱

Plant

🌸
🌸

Flowers

How to grow narcissus poeticus var. recurvus

Plant 15cm deep in September. Prefers a slightly damper position than most daffodils. Excellent for naturalising in meadows and orchard grass. The powerful sweet fragrance is exceptional. The latest daffodil to flower, extending the season into May.

Soil requirements

Soil type

loam, sand, chalk, clay

Moisture

well drained

pH

neutral, alkaline

Aftercare

Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering. Remove spent flower heads to prevent self-seeding.

Propagation

  • Division of clumps in autumn
  • Offsets

Wildlife value

🐝 Attracts bees

Toxicity

All parts contain lycorine and calcium oxalate crystals causing nausea, vomiting, and skin irritation.

🐱 Toxic to cats
🐶 Toxic to dogs
🐴 Toxic to horses
👤 Toxic to humans

Common problems

  • Narcissus bulb fly
  • Basal rot
  • Blindness (failure to flower)
  • Slugs on young shoots

Similar bulbs to grow

Other Bulbs

Camassia leichtlinii

Camassia leichtlinii
Other Bulbs

English Bluebell

Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Fritillaries

Fritillaria meleagris

Fritillaria meleagris
Alliums

Allium 'Purple Sensation'

Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation'
Tulips

Tulipa 'Spring Green'

Tulipa 'Spring Green'

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