Cyclamen-flowered Daffodil (Narcissus cyclamineus)

Cyclamen-flowered daffodil is a delicate beauty with pale, pink-tinged white petals and a trumpet-like center. It blooms in early spring and prefers damp habitats such as streams or meadows.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Narcissus cyclamineus, the cyclamen-flowered daffodil, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to North West Portugal and North West Spain.

It is a vigorous bulbous perennial, growing to 15–20 cm (6–8 in) tall, with grass-like leaves, and yellow flowers in early Spring. The 4.5 cm long, pendent flowers are unusual in that the central trumpet (corona) is long and narrow, while the outer section (perianth) is fully reflexed (folded back on itself). This reflexion superficially resembles that of the distantly related cyclamen.

Narcissus cyclamineus is widely planted in gardens, and can be naturalised in a woodland garden or in thin grass, where it will spread by self-seeding. It prefers well-drained, lime-free soil that does not dry out in summer. It is valuable for its bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring with other bulbs such as snowdrops and Cyclamen coum. Due to its small size it is very suitable for growing in a shady rockery or trough.

It is a parent of the Cyclamineus Group of hybrid daffodil cultivars, which includes popular varieties such as ‘February Gold’, ‘Jetfire’, ‘Jack Snipe’ and ‘Tête à Tête’. Most of these hybrids are significantly larger than the species and whilst the petals may be reflexed to some extent, none so far has the fully reflexed appearance of the parent.

Narcissus cyclamineus has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Cyclamen-flowered daffodil grows vigorously in sunny places. Insufficient light may cause excessive leaf growth. However, the plants can adapt to slightly shaded environments, such as under deciduous trees. Some varieties in the Cyclamineus and Triandrus groups are particularly suitable for moist and shaded environments.

Temperature

Most varieties of cyclamen-flowered daffodil are hardy and can overwinter in hardiness zones 8-10. Cyclamen-flowered daffodil needs 6-8 weeks of temperatures below 5 ℃ in winter to successfully complete flower initiation and flower. The best temperature for growth is 12 to 18 ℃, and for flowering about 20 ℃. Cyclamen-flowered daffodil doesn’t have a high demand for water and can adapt well to both dry and humid climates.

Watering

Originating from the Iberian Peninsula, cyclamen-flowered daffodil thrives in a moderately moist environment, indicative of its natural habitat’s balance between wet and dry periods. It exhibits a preference for consistent moisture without being waterlogged, demonstrating moderate drought tolerance. Care should involve watering once every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. Typically grown outdoors, cyclamen-flowered daffodil is an herbaceous perennial that requires well-draining soil to prevent root rot during its active growing season when water needs are higher.

Soil

Cyclamen-flowered daffodil prefers fertile, loose, well-drained, and slightly acidic or neutral soil. The suitable soil pH range is 6-7. It cannot be planted in clay soil with poor drainage, as accumulated water will cause the bulb to rot and fail to bloom. Add coarse sand and humus to improve the soil structure and ensure good drainage can avoid it.

Fertilizing

Cyclamen-flowered daffodil doesn’t need much fertilizer. You can mix some bulb food or bone meal into the soil when planting in the fall. Water-soluble compound fertilizers can be applied when the plant begins to grow leaves and before flowering in spring. The ratio of the three main elements (N％-P2O5％-K2O％) can be 5-10-10 for leaf growth and 0-10-10 for the flowering period. You can top dress Potassium fertilizer once after flowering, as this is beneficial to bulb rejuvenation.

Planting Instructions

You can buy bulbs for planting in the fall. Plant cyclamen-flowered daffodil at night, ideally when the temperature is below 10 ℃. Too high a temperature may cause new leaves to sprout prematurely. If the temperature drops, the new leaves will suffer frost damage.

When planting in your garden, choose a well-ventilated place to dig a pit. You can add some compost to the bottom of the pit, and then insert the bulb, taking care to face the tip upward. Gently cover with soil, press firmly, and water it well. The planting depth is generally 3-4 times the bulb height, and the spacing is twice the bulb diameter.

When planting in a flower pot, choose a pot that is 5 times wider than the diameter of the bulb. The bottom of the pot must also have drainage holes. If it is a large container, it is best to put a 3 cm layer of thick, coarse sand or broken brick at the bottom to help with drainage. The planting depth can be slightly shallower than planting on the ground, and at least 2.5 cm of soil under each bulb is required. Plant spacing can be slightly denser than planting directly in your garden. After planting, you can mulch the soil surface with a layer of gravel, which helps to retain moisture and adds beauty.

Pruning

Remove withered flowers from cyclamen-flowered daffodil promptly to prevent it from consuming nutrients during fruit growth. Retaining bulb nutrients this way prolongs the blooming time of other flowers. After flowering, do not cut off the leaves until they turn yellow and wither so that the leaves can photosynthesize for as long as possible and store nutrients for the bulbs. This is conducive to the following year’s rebloom.

Propagation

You can buy bulbs directly from a garden center for planting. Cyclamen-flowered daffodil is a perennial bulb. Baby bulbs will form around any parent bulbs that have been growing for many years. You can use these small bulbs to propagate. In the autumn, dig out the bulbs, cut off the small bulbs, and replant them in your garden or flower pots using the original planting method. After growing for 2-3 years, the plant can bloom again.

III. Harvesting and Storage

Cyclamen-flowered daffodil is very beautiful. When the flower buds are enlarged and the outer petals have just softened but not yet fully opened, you can cut them to enjoy in a vase. Use sharp garden shears to cut from the base of the flower stem and promptly put it in a vase filled with 2/3 clean water to avoid water loss. The vase life of these flowers is 7-15 days. If you want to extend their display period as much as possible, you can add some cut flower food and change the water every 3 days.