Narcissus 'Quail'

Narcissus 'Quail'

Narcissus ‘Quail’ is a delicate daffodil in appearance but actually is robust in nature and looks most effective planted in a large drift where its stems, which hold two or three small yellow flowers, can be fully admired. At RHS Garden Hyde Hall we use it in large drifts around the Lower Pond where it looks fantastic against winter stem shrubs such as dogwoods and willows. We also use it in smaller groups through the Eastern Courtyard to add a splash of spring colour as visitors arrive.

Vital statistics

Common name

Daffodil

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Height & spread

40cm (16in)

Form

Bulbous perennial

Soil

Moisture retentive, but well drained with plenty of organic matter incorporated. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil.

Aspect

Full sun to partial shade. Flowering is better in full sun.

Hardiness

Fully hardy

Narcissus

This is a genus of around 150 species of bulbous perennials from Europe and North Africa and is one of the most popular flowers in the world. Its name derives from the Greek mythological character, Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection and died. Legend has it that in the place of his death, yellow daffodils sprung forth and were hence named after him.

Narcissus grows in meadows, woodland, river silts and rock crevasses from sea-level to sub-alpine altitudes. Thousands of cultivars have been developed providing a huge range of size, colour, shape and form. This genus is grown for its striking often scented flowers which are borne in spring. Some cultivars flower in autumn and winter.

Narcissus is an excellent cut flower and mostly cultivated in the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, Great Britain and Holland.

Leafless stems bear between one and 20 flowers each with six spreading petals which surround the central corona. Colour varies greatly, but most Narcissus flowers are yellow or white and have red, orange or pink trumpets.

The leaves grow from the base of the plant, are strap-like or cylindrical and 15-75cm in length depending on the species.

Narcissus is very versatile in its planting position. It can be grown among shrubs in a border, in meadows, woodland, lawns and containers. Some of the smaller species are suitable for the rock garden, although some, like N. cantabricus, N. romieuxii and N. rupicola will need extra protection in an alpine house.

For horticultural purposes, Narcissus has been split into 13 divisions, each with distinctive features.

Narcissus 'Quail'

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Narcissus ‘Quail’ a prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM), in recognition of its outstanding excellence. It is a robust cultivar categorised in Division 7. It is a Jonquilla-type hybrid, which makes it a very sturdy plant, standing up well in bad weather. In mid-spring, N. ‘Quail’ bears two or three golden yellow, sweetly fragranced flowers on stems 40cm high. The flowers are 4cm across with long trumpets and neat petals. N. ‘Quail’ produces dark-green, narrow, often reed-like leaves, which are relatively easy to hide in the border while they mature.

Cultivation

• Plant bulbs one and a half times their own depth in autumn.
• Prefers a moderately fertile soil with good drainage. Moisture retention is important during the growing season.
• Dead head flowers, unless collecting seed.
• Allow foliage to die down for at least six weeks after flowers have faded before cutting back. Although unsightly, the leaves are taking in valuable nutrients that will be used for next year’s flowers.
• Narcissus bulb fly, narcissus nematode, bulb scale mite, slugs, narcissus basal rot, other fungal infections, narcissus yellow stripe virus, and other viruses.

Propagation

• Sow seed of species as soon as ripe in deep containers in a cold frame. Cultivated species will not come true from collected seed. After germination, keep moist and frost free. After two years transfer seedlings to a nursery bed. It may take up to seven years to flower.
• Detach ‘daughter’ bulbs from the mother and replant as leaves fade in early summer. Alternatively, division can be undertaken in early autumn before new roots are produced.

AGM

The RHS Daffodil and Tulip Committee awarded Narcissus ‘Quail’ an Award of Garden Merit for the following reason:

'Plenty of flower and a lot of secondary flowers as well; rich colour, good scent; readily available, outstanding, no reservations.' 

The Committee described it as: 'a multi-headed Jonquilla of deep golden yellow; vigorous, free-flowering and fragrant.'