2026 NEW DRYAD DAFFODILS
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These will only be available on EBAY this year, where I can spare some.
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ALICAT
NARCISSUS ALICAT 12 Y-Y
Bred from N. cuatrecasasii x albimarginatus.
ALICAT shows its albimarginatus parentage in the nodding, deep golden flowers, the ample overlapping perianth, and delicious scent.
Growing to about 15-20 cm under glass, with upright leaves, it bears 1-2 short-cupped flowers, each 30mm across, on strong stems, so is perfect for exhibition in early miniature classes. The flowers are of heavy substance, and last well.
I have not tried any of the albimarginatus hybrids outside yet, but it would be worth trying in a well-drained position.
CARETTA
NARCISSUS CARETTA 6 W-W
Bred by crossing 2 seedlings of Candlepower x KB/M/1/98 (a Keira Bulbs hybrid)
CARETTA’s flowers begin pale yellow, maturing to ivory white, with an flaring, frilled corona, and gently reflexed perianth, overlapping at the base. The perianth continues to reflex as the flower ages, becoming a more typical division 6. With a diameter of 40mm, it is classed as a miniature for exhibition as a cut flower, but It also makes a beautiful pot subject with flowers on 15cm upright stems, above emerald green foliage, and increases well.
CETI
NARCISSUS CETI 10 W-W
A selected seedling from a species I had grown from seed in 2010 as N. tananicus, but which I now consider to be N. cantabricus var. eualbidus. This particular clone stood out as being particularly vigorous and compact, with the largest flowers on short stems. Up until now, I have sold it as AW 3337-1, so some customers may already be growing it.
This spring I had a very fine pot in flower for the AGS Pershore show, at which it was awarded the Audrey Bartholomew Memorial Prize for Best Bulbous Plant, the Farrer Medal, and a Preliminary Certificate by the Joint Rock Committee. The latter award requires the plant to be given a cultivar name, so after 16 years, this little hoop has joined our troupe of MOON Series hoop petticoats as CETI.
Classified as 10 W-W, the flower is 28mm in diameter, so can be shown as a miniature, but it comes into its own as a superb pot subject. It is very floriferous, and increases quickly, rapidly producing a fantastic display of pristine white, widely conical flowers on very short stems. The dark green, narrow leaves, although longer, spike through the mass of flowers without interfering with the display. The effect of a pot in full flower is like a hemisphere of pure white, and the lovely scent in a warm greenhouse is just gilding the lily!
GILTIE
NARCISSUS GILTIE 12 Y-W
Bred from a tiny clone of N. bulbocodium nivalis x triandrus concolor.
Aiming for a very small x susannae type of hybrid, this one, and its sister have been the smallest so far, at only 10cm high. The sweetly scented flowers have a starry lemon yellow, twisted perianth, and a fluted corona of creamy white. The deep green, grassy leaves are lax, held well below the flowers. It particularly caught my eye as a reverse bicolour flower, which are dear to my heart. If you are wondering about the spelling of the cultivar name, you should know that its all-white sister SILVIE, has yet to have enough bulbs to be offered.
LITTLE HERO GROUP
NARCISSUS LITTLE HERO GROUP 12 Y-W
Bred from N. cordubensis x rupicola, this group of similar seedlings have proved to be floriferous and reliable as potted plants under glass, but should be hardy outside in a well-drained sunny position such as a rock garden.
The upright 16-18cm stems carry 1-3 bright yellow flowers, with the short, fluted cups a slightly deeper gold.
A pot of these in full flower makes a real impact, both visually, and on the nose as the flowers have a delightful, spicy scent. I’ve used these successfully in exhibition, as multiple-flowered miniature cultivars are not that common, so they add variety to multi-bloom classes. Just a few stems make a charming bouquet in a vase.
