Eight white narcissi to grow
White daffodils are a classy addition to the spring garden – here's our pick of the best.
White daffodils are a subtle alternative to their brashier yellow cousins and complement other spring flowers, such as hellebores, well.
Better still, most of them are fabulously scented, so you're never short of springy cut flowers to enjoy indoors. Outdoors you can deadhead the flowers before they go to seed, but don't cut back the foliage until it has turned yellow and withered. The energy contained in the leaves needs to be drawn back into the bulbs, to ensure good flowers next year.
More daffodil content:
Here are eight of the best white varieties to grow.
Narcissus 'Actaea'
Narcissus 'Actaea' has delightful single, fragrant flowers in late spring. The trumpets are yellow and edged with red. A good choice for the front of a border or as part of a spring container.
Height x spread: 45cm x 15cm.
Narcissus 'Ariel'
Narcissus 'Ariel' is often sold for forcing indoors but also makes an attractive garden plant for late winter and early spring. Several scented blooms are produced on each stem. It makes a lovely cut flower.
H x S: 40cm x 20cm.
Narcissus 'Bridal Crown'
Narcissus 'Bridal Crown' has clusters of double, creamy white flowers on tall stems. The flowers have a strong, sweet fragrance and are excellent for cutting.
H x S: 35cm x 10cm.
Narcissus 'Horn of Plenty'
Narcissus ‘Horn of Plenty’ has up to three green-white flowers with long trumpets on each stem. It is perfect for naturalising in grass and dotting around the front of the border. The blooms make interesting cut flowers.
H x S: 25cm x 10cm.
Narcissus 'White Lion'
Narcissus 'White Lion' has striking white and yellow double flowers from late spring. The flowers have an intense fragrance and are excellent for cutting.
H x S: 35cm x 10cm.
Narcissus 'Minnow'
Narcissus 'Minnow' produces up to five small, creamy yellow flowers per stem. The clumps bulk up quickly and it makes an excellent cut flower.
H x S: 18cm x 8cm.
Narcissus 'Scilly White'
Narcissus 'Scilly White' is also often sold for growing indoors, although it also makes a good garden flower. The flowers are white with a slightly yellow trumpet and several flowers are produced on each stem.
H x S: 30cm x 10cm.
Narcissus 'Toto'
Narcissus ‘Toto’ is a dwarf daffodil with star-shaped flowers. The yellow cups mature to a creamy white. 'Toto' is ideal for growing in spring containers, at front of the border, or in a rockery. The blooms make lovely cut flowers.
H x S: 25cm x 10cm.
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