Narcissus cyclamineus Rapture

Narcissus 'Rapture' may be the best in its category with the perfection of its flower, which is very close to that of the wild species. It usually blooms in late March, forming beautiful bouquets of small, delicate sun-like flowers. The generous flowering of this variety, as well as its ease of cultivation and reliability, have earned it the Award of Garden Merit in England, the gold standard of the plant world. This hardy plant is easy to grow in well-drained soil. It settles quietly in the garden. Dwarf varieties are ideal for rockeries and planters.

Narcissus 'Rapture' was introduced in 1976 by G.E. Mitsch. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. The Narcissus genus includes about 50 species found mainly in Western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The cyclamineus species, from which it originates, is native to northwest Portugal and northwest Spain, and is named after its outer petals that form a completely reflexed corolla, like cyclamens. This characteristic, often greatly reduced in its hybrid descendants, is very present in 'Rapture'.

Narcissus 'Rapture' is a small vigorous plant that reaches 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) when flowering. Its foliage reaches about 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in height. Its flowers are a perfectly uniform bright yellow. They are composed of a corolla of petals that are very undulated towards the back, on which a particularly long coronule is inserted, slightly undulated at the edge. This early-flowering plant is robust, despite its small size. It naturalises in the garden within 3 or 4 years through bulblet production. Its moderately fine foliage is a vibrant green.

Narcissus 'Rapture' is undemanding and grows in any well-drained and loosened soil, but the results are less favourable in excessively wet soils, especially in summer, or excessively acidic soils. There are so many daffodil cultivars that one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting tired. They all have in common the ability to naturalise easily, to offer an infinite range of yellow and white shades, and to often emit sweet fragrances. Grow them in large clumps in lawns or at the edge of flower beds (at least 20 bulbs) for an enhanced effect. Pair 'Rapture’ with squills, crocuses, hyacinths, early-flowering botanical tulips, forget-me-nots, pansies, or liverworts. A group of 'Rapture’ daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. This daffodil is also perfect in pots.

Daffodil or Narcissus? Botanically speaking, daffodils are part of the narcissus family. They bear flowers grouped in pairs or more, and their coronule forms a bell-shaped trumpet longer than the corolla is wide. The botanical species have the charm of wild plants and thrive in rockeries: N. bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N. juncifolius, N. pseudonarcissus, the simple woodland daffodil, are among the prettiest.  

For bouquets, 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. This detrimental effect on other flower types can be mitigated by dipping the ends of the narcissus stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.