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Narcissus 'Mount Hood'
Mount Hood Daffodil
Garden cultivar registered in the Netherlands; genus native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Narcissus 'Mount Hood' is a bulbous herbaceous perennial reaching 16–18 inches (40–45 cm) tall and 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) wide per bulb, spreading into clumps over time through offset production. The cultivar is a Division 1 white trumpet daffodil registered by P. van Deursen in the Netherlands in 1938. Each stem carries a single flower 4–4.5 inches (10–11 cm) across with a long flared trumpet as long as or slightly longer than the six perianth segments — the trumpet geometry defines Division 1. Flowers open ivory-cream with a pale lemon trumpet and mature to uniform pure white across the entire corolla within 2–3 days of opening, which means a peak-bloom planting carries mixed tones: newly opened flowers in ivory-cream, mature flowers in pure white, and intermediate flowers in pale lemon-to-white transition. Bloom occurs in March–April, mid-season among daffodils. Leaves are basal, strap-shaped, 10–14 inches (25–40 cm) long, gray-green, and die back 6 or more weeks after flowering. Established clumps persist and multiply over 20–40 years without division. Growth rate is moderate; bulbs reach flowering maturity the year after autumn planting. Hardy to USDA zone 3. All parts — especially the bulbs — contain lycorine and other alkaloids; ingestion causes vomiting, salivation, and contact dermatitis in pets, livestock, and humans.
Native Range
The genus Narcissus is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Narcissus 'Mount Hood' is a garden cultivar — a Division 1 white trumpet daffodil — registered by P. van Deursen in the Netherlands in 1938.Suggested Uses
Planted in borders, drifts of 20–50 bulbs, under deciduous trees, and naturalized in lawns and meadows at 4–6 inch (10–15 cm) spacing and 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) deep. The white flower color fills a color gap in Division 1 plantings that are otherwise dominated by golden-yellow cultivars such as 'King Alfred' and 'Dutch Master', and mixed plantings combining Mount Hood with a golden-yellow Division 1 cultivar produce a two-tone trumpet display. The ivory-to-white color transition over 2–3 days gives the planting mixed tones at peak bloom rather than a single flat color. Established clumps persist and multiply for 20–40 years without intervention. The 6-week post-bloom foliage ripening period leaves yellowing leaves visible into May–June; interplanting with later-emerging perennials such as Hosta or Hemerocallis screens the fading foliage. All parts of Narcissus are toxic to pets, livestock, and humans if ingested.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'4" - 1'6"
Width/Spread4" - 6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Single flowers 4–4.5 inches (10–11 cm) across appear in March–April over a 2–3 week window per planting. The trumpet measures as long as or slightly longer than the perianth segments, placing the cultivar in Division 1. Flowers open ivory-cream with a pale lemon trumpet and mature to uniform pure white across the corolla within 2–3 days of opening, producing a planting with mixed ivory, cream, pale lemon, and white tones at peak bloom. Bloom is mid-season among daffodils.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Opens ivory-cream with pale lemon trumpet and matures to uniform pure white across the corolla within 2-3 days; single flower 4-4.5 inches across with a long flared trumpet as long as or slightly longer than the perianth segments; March-AprilFoliage Description
Gray-green; basal, strap-shaped, 10-14 inches long; dies back 6 or more weeks after bloomGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant bulbs 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) deep at 4–6 inch (10–15 cm) spacing in full sun to partial shade with 4–10 hours of direct light, in well-drained loam, sandy loam, or silt at pH 6.0–7.0. Autumn planting between September and November, 6–8 weeks before the ground freezes, gives the bulbs time to root before winter. Water in after planting and keep soil moist through establishment; bulbs are drought-tolerant once established. Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally for at least 6 weeks after flowering. Divide congested clumps every 5–8 years in early summer after foliage dies back, when flower count per stem drops below 80–90% of peak. Hardy to USDA zone 3.Pruning
Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally for 6 or more weeks after flowering. Do not cut, braid, or tie the leaves while they are still green — this reduces photosynthate production and weakens bulbs for the next season. Remove yellowed foliage when it detaches from the bulb with gentle pulling. Deadhead spent flower stems at the base of the stalk to prevent seed formation and direct energy into bulb storage.Pruning Schedule
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late spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons