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Narcissus 'Saint Keverne'
Saint Keverne Daffodil
Garden cultivar bred in Cornwall, England; genus native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Narcissus 'Saint Keverne' 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 2 large-cupped daffodil bred by M.P. Williams in Cornwall, England, and registered in 1934; it holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. Each stem carries a single deep golden-yellow flower 3.5–4.5 inches (9–11 cm) across with a large cup that measures more than 1/3 the length of the perianth segments but shorter than the perianth — the cup geometry defines Division 2. The cup carries a slightly deeper orange-yellow tone than the perianth segments, producing a subtle two-tone effect within an otherwise uniform golden color palette. Bloom occurs in March–April, mid-season among daffodils, overlapping with Division 1 trumpet cultivars such as Narcissus 'King Alfred' and Narcissus 'Mount Hood'. Leaves are basal, strap-shaped, 10–14 inches (25–36 cm) long, gray-green, and die back 6 or more weeks after flowering. The cultivar is widely commercially available in the Division 2 large-cupped trade and shows good resistance to basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.), which makes it a durable choice in wetter or heavier-soil sites where more basal-rot-susceptible cultivars decline. 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 'Saint Keverne' is a garden cultivar — a Division 2 large-cupped daffodil — bred by M.P. Williams in Cornwall, England, and registered in 1934.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 Division 2 large-cupped form bridges the transition in a daffodil display between the longer trumpets of Division 1 and the shorter-cupped Division 3 cultivars, and the deep golden-yellow coloring coordinates with golden Division 1 cultivars such as 'King Alfred' in mixed plantings. Basal-rot resistance makes this a working choice for wetter or heavier-soil sites where the garden's drainage is imperfect. 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 deep golden-yellow flowers 3.5–4.5 inches (9–11 cm) across appear in March–April over a 2–3 week window per planting. The cup measures more than 1/3 the length of the perianth segments but shorter than the perianth, placing the cultivar in Division 2, and carries a slightly deeper orange-yellow tone than the perianth. Bloom is mid-season among daffodils.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Uniform deep golden-yellow with slightly deeper orange-yellow cup; single flower 3.5-4.5 inches across with a large cup longer than 1/3 the perianth length but shorter than the perianth; 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. Good resistance to basal rot allows this cultivar to persist in wetter or heavier-soil sites where more basal-rot-susceptible cultivars decline. 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
J
F
M
A
M
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late spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons