getting to know narcissi
Narcissi can be classified into 13 different groups, with each offering distinct qualities to elevate your garden. From bold and brilliant varieties to strongly scented favourites, narcissus truly signifies the start of spring.
Not sure where to start? Explore Sarah's top 5 divisions that signal the arrival of spring at Perch Hill, plus many more…
Trumpet
(DIVISION 1)
One flower to a stem with a long cup or nose (the technical way of describing the trumpet). The trumpet is the same length or longer than the petals
Large-cupped
(DIVISION 2)
One flower to a stem, with a shorter trumpet than Division. These tend to be on the clunky side, but there are some new cultivars in shades of pink grapefruit and apricot that look more elegant
Small-cupped
(DIVISION 3)
One flower to a stem, with a trumpet that’s no more than a third the length of the petals. These are sort of flat-faced, which I like – two of my favourites for table centres are ‘Xit’ and ‘Segovia’, and both are very fragrant
Double
(DIVISION 4)
One or more flowers to a stem, with double petals, double trumpets or both. ‘Sir Winston Churchill’ is a classic of this group, but we don’t grow many in pots. They tend to be more for picking
Triandrus
(DIVISION 5)
Usually, two or more hanging flowers to a stem with reflexed petals. We grow several from this group in pots, including ‘Hawera’, ‘Katie Heath’, ‘Thalia’ and ‘Lemon Drops’. They are often graceful and elegant, which makes them a standout choice for springtime glamour
Cyclamineus
(DIVISION 6)
One flower to a stem with very reflexed petals. ‘Tête-à-tête’ is the most famous amongst this group
Jonquilla & Apodanthus
(DIVISION 7)
Between one and five flowers to a stem, with a short trumpet that is often wider than it is long, with petals spreading or reflexed. The flowers are usually very fragrant. We love ‘Sailboat’, the small-flowered ‘Kokopelli'
Tazetta
(DIVISION 8)
These usually have three to twenty fragrant flowers to a short stem. These are popular as cut flowers (a top variety is ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’) and we grow lots of for pots, including ‘Minnow’ and ‘Silver Chimes’
Poeticus
(DIVISION 9)
The narcissi in this division are commonly known as pheasant’s eye and have beautiful, pure white petals, very short or even disc-shaped trumpets, and incredible fragrance. This is one of the best groups for naturalising in grass, so we usually grow them in the lawn rather than in pots.
Bulbocodium
(DIVISION 10)
Usually, one flower to a stem and a trumpet that looks like a hooped petticoat. I love these very distinctive daffodils and think they look best in smaller pots and containers. They also flower for ages
Split-coronoa
(DIVISION 11)
Also known as split-cup, these daffodils have trumpets, and sometimes petals, with split segments
Other
(DIVISION 12)
These are the anomalous ones – those that fail to fall into any of the previous categories
Wild (species)
(DIVISION 13)
The narcissi in this classification are distinguished solely by botanical name. These are the species or wild varieties that are often found naturalised in woodlands or beneath trees and shrubs. Narcissus pseudonarcissus is a beautiful and long-lasting example.
discover more narcissi
Browse our full range from specially curated collections to varieties that are perfect for naturalising, growing in containers, super-scented favourites and much, much more
