Plant Profile: Daffodil ‘Thalia’ (Narcissus triandrus ‘Thalia’)
by Karen
on April 7, 2009

Daffodil '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’