Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus

Poet's narcissus

Amaryllidaceae

S Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Balkans; mountain meadows 2600-6500 ft / 800-2000 m)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus is a bulbous perennial reaching 14-18 inches (36-45 cm) tall with a spread of 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) per bulb. This is the old pheasant's eye daffodil, the latest-blooming commonly grown narcissus, flowering in April-May when most other daffodils have finished. Each stem bears a single fragrant flower 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) across with glistening white, strongly recurved perianth segments and a tiny shallow cup 0.3-0.4 inch (8-10 mm) across, greenish-yellow edged with a narrow red-orange rim. The narrow, strap-shaped basal leaves are 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) long, blue-green. Growth rate is slow. Hardy to zone 3. Native to European mountain meadows. Extremely long-lived—documented populations persist for centuries in old gardens. The fragrance is intense and sweet. Slower to establish and multiply than Division 1 cultivars.

Native Range

Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus spp. is native to southern Europe—Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and the Balkans—in mountain meadows, grasslands, and subalpine zones at 2,600-6,500 feet (800-2,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted in naturalistic meadow-style plantings, borders, or under deciduous trees at 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) spacing, 5-6 inches deep. The latest-blooming daffodil extends the narcissus season into May. Intense fragrance. Prefers moister conditions than most daffodils. Slower to establish and multiply. Extremely long-lived—documented century-old populations. All Narcissus spp. are toxic if ingested.

How to Identify

Distinguished from all Division 1 trumpet daffodils by the tiny shallow cup (0.3-0.4 inch) with a red-orange rim versus a long trumpet. Distinguished from Division 6 Cyclamineus hybrids by the flat (versus reflexed) perianth. Distinguished from 'Thalia' by the single (versus multiple) flowers and the red-rimmed cup. The glistening white flower with strongly recurved perianth and tiny red-rimmed green-yellow cup is unmistakable—the latest common daffodil to bloom.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'2" - 1'6"

Width/Spread4" - 6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Single fragrant flowers 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) across in April-May—the latest commonly grown narcissus. Glistening white recurved perianth with a tiny shallow cup 0.3-0.4 inch (8-10 mm), greenish-yellow edged red-orange. Intensely sweet fragrance. Bloom duration is 2-3 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Glistening white recurved perianth; tiny shallow cup greenish-yellow with red-orange rim; single 2.5-3 inches; Apr-May (latest)

Foliage Description

Blue-green; narrow strap-shaped 12-16 inches; basal

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant bulbs 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) deep in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.0) in autumn. Hardy to zone 3. Prefers consistently moist soil—more moisture-loving than most daffodils. Native to mountain meadows. Slower to establish than Division 1 cultivars. Allow foliage to ripen 6+ weeks. Extremely long-lived once established.