Poet’s Narcissus (Narcissus poeticus)

Poet’s narcissus (Narcissus poeticus) might be the fabled narcissus of ancient times—celebrated so much in literature and art. Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher, mentioned a flower in his Historia Plantarum that scholars think might be poet’s narcissus. It was also the flower that, in Ancient Greek mythology, Persephone was collecting when Hades pulled her down into the underworld.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Narcissus poeticus, the poet’s daffodil, poet’s narcissus, nargis, pheasant’s eye, findern flower or pinkster lily, was one of the first daffodils to be cultivated, and is frequently identified as the narcissus of ancient times (although Narcissus tazetta and Narcissus jonquilla have also been considered as possibilities). It is also often associated with the Greek legend of Narcissus. It is the type species of the genus Narcissus and is widely naturalised in North America.

Narcissus poeticus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum on page 289 in 1753.

Narcissus poeticus is native to central and southern Europe from Spain, France through Switzerland, Austria to Croatia, Albania, Greece and Ukraine. It is naturalised in Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Turkey, New Zealand, British Columbia, Washington state, Oregon, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and much of the eastern United States, from Louisiana and Georgia north to Maine and Wisconsin.

The flower is extremely fragrant, with a ring of sepals in pure white and a short corona of light yellow with a distinct reddish edge. It grows to 20 to 40 cm (7.9 to 15.7 in) tall.

While all narcissi are poisonous when eaten, poet’s daffodil is more dangerous than others, acting as a strong emetic and irritant. The scent can be powerful enough to cause headache and vomiting if a large quantity is kept in a closed room.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Poet’s narcissus 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 poet’s narcissus are hardy and can overwinter in hardiness zones 8-10. Poet’s narcissus 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 ℃. Poet’s narcissus doesn’t have a high demand for water and can adapt well to both dry and humid climates.

Watering

Originating from damp meadows and open woodlands, poet’s narcissus thrives in moderately moist soil conditions, indicative of its partiality to consistent but not excessive moisture. It is drought-tolerant to a degree yet favors a balance that leans towards regular hydration. Accordingly, it requires watering every week to maintain its ideal water content. As an outdoor plant often cultivated for its aromatic springtime blooms, poet’s narcissus benefits significantly from the seasonal rains that complement its growth cycle and enhance flowering.

Soil

Poet’s narcissus 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

For healthy growth and prolific blooms, poet’s narcissus thrives with balanced nutrition fertilizers (e.g., 10-10-10) applied monthly during spring growth. In fall, switch to high phosphorus fertilizers to prepare poet’s narcissus for dormancy and next year’s blooms. Use sparingly—too much can harm roots. Adjust with growth stages; reduce in late summer. Tips: water after fertilizing to avoid burn, and don’t let granules touch leaves or stems.

Pruning

Remove withered flowers from the poet’s narcissus 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

The preferred propagation method for poet’s narcissus is through tubers during the Spring season. They have moderate propagation difficulty. Key signs of successful propagation include healthy root growth. Ensure proper tuber handling and planting depth for optimal success.

Transplanting

The best time to transplant a poet’s narcissus is early spring to mid-spring or late fall to mid-winter, as these seasons offer suitable temperatures for root establishment. Ensure a well-drained location with partial sunlight for successful transplantation. When necessary, provide ample space between plants to promote healthy growth.

Repotting

Repot poet’s narcissus in late spring every 2-3 years, after flowering. Optimal growth is achieved in a slightly larger container, allowing room for bulb expansion without overcrowding. Post-repotting, place poet’s narcissus in bright, indirect light, maintaining moderate moisture without waterlogging. Careful handling during repotting is crucial due to poet’s narcissus’s delicate root system. This encourages robust blooms in following seasons.

III. Uses and Benefits 

• Ornamental uses

Poet’s narcissus is a welcome addition to yards and gardens, offering showy blooms that come back every year. Landscapers use it in fragrant border plantings, among tall grasses, or next to hedgerows. It is often included in gardens intended for cuttings. Small group planting can also provide the “thriller” element in container arrangements. Companion plants include Lilies, Primrose, and other spring-blooming plants.

• Medicinal uses

In medicine, it was described by Dioscorides in his Materia Medica as “Being laid on with Loliacean meal, & honey it draws out splinters”. James Sutherland also mentioned it in his Hortus Medicus Edinburgensis. In Korea, it is used to treat conjunctivitis, urethritis and amenorrhoea.

• Cosmetic uses

Poet’s daffodil is cultivated in the Netherlands and southern France for its essential oil, narcissus oil, one of the most popular fragrances used in perfumes. Narcissus oil is used as a principal ingredient in 11% of modern quality perfumes—including ‘Fatale’ and ‘Samsara’—as a floral concrete or absolute. The oil’s fragrance resembles a combination of jasmine and hyacinth.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

Poet’s narcissus 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.