Narcissus Ice Follies - Daffodil

Narcissus 'Ice Follies' is a long-established variety of daffodil, awarded in England for its numerous qualities. It is one of those that return each year,  increasing in number, bearing beautiful large white flowers with a large pale yellow crown at the end of sturdy stems. They emerge in April, charming, irresistible, among the brand new foliage, like a bouquet of intense freshness. This variety has proven itself; it is robust and multiplies rapidly in the garden, forming beautiful clumps in sunny beds within a few years. With its short and sturdy stem, it is a superb bouquet flower and an easy plant to succeed with. 

The 'Ice Follies' daffodil, introduced in the Netherlands in 1953, belongs to the lily family (Amaryllidaceae). The Narcissus genus includes around 50 species found primarily in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The 'Ice Follies' daffodil, like the majority of large-cupped daffodils, is the result of cross-breeding between N.poeticus and N(x) pseudonarcissus, or even N.incomparabilis. It is an excellent creation that has already proven itself and is the origin of 8 more recent varieties. The plant produces a sturdy and strong stem that reaches a height of 40 cm (16in) when flowering. It is an early-flowering plant, in March-April, with a large yellow-green flower bud that opens into magnificent flowers, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) wide. The flowers have six wide white petal-like tepals. The stamens are inserted into a cup-shaped corolla or paracorolla, with a light yellow colour marginated with ivory. The foliage is deciduous, disappearing in summer. 

There is such a variety of daffodils that you can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting tired. They all have the ability to naturalise easily, to endlessly display yellow and white, and often emit sweet fragrances. So many reasons to grow them in large clumps on the short grass meadow or at the edge of beds (at least 20 bulbs) for a multiplied effect. Pair the 'Ice Follies' daffodil, in wild or romantic beds, with squills and hyacinths, accompany them with double tulips as well as forget-me-nots, daisies, chamomiles, or liverworts. A group of 'Ice Follies' daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect.  In pots, this daffodil is perfect.

For bouquets: we advise you not to mix daffodils with other flowers, such as tulips in particular, as the stems contain a substance that causes the other flowers to wilt quickly. This detrimental effect can be mitigated by dipping the ends of the daffodil stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.