Narcissus Petrel

Narcissus Petrel is closely related to a botanical species called Narcissus triandus, endemic to Finistère. This pretty multiflorous variety produces up to seven small pure white flowers on each stem, with a very beautiful fragrance. It has the advantage of flowering late, until May, pleasantly extending the long narcissus season. In the garden, its bulbs will naturalise easily in loose and well-drained soil.

Narcissus triandus Petrel, poetically called 'Angel's Tears' by the Anglo-Saxons, belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. The genus Narcissus includes about 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. 'Petrel' is a hybrid variety of N. triandus, obtained in 1970 in the USA. Its ancestor is a plant native to Spain, Portugal, and France where it is often called Narcissus des Glenan. 'Petrel' distinguishes itself with increased floribundance. The plant produces a sturdy stem 30 to 35 cm (14in) tall when in bloom. It is a late and long flowering plant, starting in April, with each stem bearing 3 to 7 very fragrant flowers (sometimes more), 10 cm (4in) wide and pure white, with a small green eye in the centre of the short trumpet. The perianth is composed of 6 slightly reflexed segments (tepals). Sometimes, a single bulb produces two floral stems. The deciduous, linear foliage disappears in summer.

There are so many varieties of daffodil that you can enjoy them for three months in spring without getting bored. They all naturalise easily, love yellow and white, and often emit sweet fragrances. So many reasons to cultivate them in large clumps (at least 20 bulbs) for a mass effect. Pair 'Petrel', in natural beds, with scilla and Anemone blanda, botanical tulips, forget-me-nots and small grasses like Stipa. A group of Narcissus triandus in a pot near the house or even in a cool room will diffuse an exceptional fragrance. It is simply perfect as a cut flower.

Daffodil or Narcissus? Botanically speaking, daffodils are part of the narcissus family. They have flowers grouped in twos or more, and their corolla forms a campanulate trumpet longer than it is wide. The botanical species have the charm of wild plants and thrive in rockeries: N.bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N.juncifolius, N.pseudonarcissus and the simple wood daffodil are among the prettiest. In vases, we advise you not to mix narcissus with other flowers such as tulips, as the stems of narcissus contain a substance that quickly wilts other flowers. You can mitigate this harmful effect by dipping the ends of the narcissus stems in warm water for 1 to 2 minutes.