Plant Profile: Daffodil ‘Thalia’ (Narcissus triandrus ‘Thalia’)

If you like “delicate” you will surely like the daffodil ‘Thalia’, also known as “Orchid Narcissus.” It is a bright snow white late season fragrant daffodil that has reflexed petals that fold back in soft curves. Compared to most other daffodils it is dainty, refined, and elegant; sort of the Audrey Hepburn of daffodils. The virtues of ‘Thalia’ don’t stop there. Each bulb produces 1-3 flowers that gracefully hang from thin stems amidst slender foliage and looks fabulous planted in drifts or clumps. Like other triandrus daffodils, it naturalizes well in semi-shaded areas and I have found it a vigorous grower in my crepe myrtle allee where it blooms and manufactures food for next year before the crepe myrtles leaf out. This is a good daffodil in the South through zone 8 without chilling.

Type: Bulb.

Bloom: Mid Spring (April-May).

Size: 12”-18” H.

Light: Full sun-Part sun.

Soil: Very adaptable; moist but well drained; neutral pH.

Fertilizer: Apply bulb fertilizer (like 7-10-5) three times per year: in the fall for the root system; when the sprouts first poke through the soil for the foliage and flower; and when the flower dies for the bulb itself.

Hardiness: Zones 3-8.

Care: Allow foliage to mature completely before removing.

Pests and Diseases: None of importance; avoid water logged soils or the bulbs will rot.

Propagation: Division.

Companion plants: Interplant with earlier varieties of narcissus such as ‘Ice Follies” to extend the display; grape hyacinths set off the whiteness of ‘Thalia’