Call them narcissus, daffodils, or jonquils, if you want them in your garden and live in the South you have to pick carefully. Not all narcissus grow well in South both because of the warm winters and hot summers. By picking the correct varieties, however, most gardeners in the southern states can have a beautiful spring bloom of these cheerful, colorful bulbs.
The name “daffodil” often refers to plants with large flowers, jonquil to those with small flowers, and “narcissus” to those with clusters of flowers. Narcissus, however, is the botanical genus name for all three kinds of plants. Commercially, Narcissus are classified into one of thirteen divisions based on a combination of characteristics including flower form, number of flowers per stem, flowering period, and genetic background.
Barrett Browning
he single flowers are up to three inches across and have white petals with a hint of yellow at the base, and a small bowl shaped orange cup. Naturalizes well.
Classification: Small cup
Height: 14-16”
Bloom Time: Early spring
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Carlton
Introduced in 1927, Carlton is one of the most popular daffodils and easily perennializes. The single flower is two tones of yellow and has a vanilla fragrance.
Classification: Large cup
Height: 14-16”
Bloom Time: Early spring
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Ice Follies
The single flowers are up to four inches across and have creamy white petals and a wide open yellow cup that fades to white. Plants naturalize easily and are good for forcing.
Classification: Large cup
Height: 16-18
Bloom Time:Early-mid spring
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Sweetness
With one to five flowers per stem, Sweetness has golden yellow petals and fluted cup. Its outstanding fragrance has won it the American Daffodil Society’s Wister Award. Perennializes well and is good for forcing.
Classification: Jonquilla
Height:12-14”
Bloom Time:Mid-spring
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Thalia
Two to five pendant flowers are produced per stem each with pure white petals and cup and a light fragrance. An heirloom variety from 1916, it is also called “Orchid Narcissus”.
Classification: Triandrus
Height:12-14”
Bloom Time:Mid- to late spring
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Trevithian
Bearing one to three golden yellow fragrant flowers per stem, Trevithian has broad petals and a short cup. Vigorous, quickly producing a large mass of plants.
Classification: Jonquilla
Height: 18-20”
Bloom Time: Mid- to late spring
Hardiness: Zones 4-9