The International Daffodil Register and Classified List (1998)
Daffodil classification
The 1908 List was the first "classified" list, announcing the introduction by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) of a new daffodil classification for garden and show purposes, following the "enormous increase of late years in the number of named Daffodils and the crossing and inter-crossing of the once fairly distinct classes of magni-, medio- and parvi-coronati". Seven arbitrary divisions were adopted, determined chiefly by measurement, but these were said in the 1910 List to have failed to meet with general acceptance. An expanded scheme of eleven divisions was then published which, with some small amendments over the years, served until 1950.
The Revised System of 1950 was designed to make classification more logical, to make it easier to understand and apply, and to provide for the continuing evolution of the daffodil cultivar. In principle and in structure, it remains the basis for the Revised System of 1998. Major developments since 1950 have been the introduction of colour coding, sub-dividing Division 11, adding a division for Bulbocodium cultivars, and having one division for "daffodils distinguished solely by botanical name" instead of for "species, wild variants and wild hybrids".
Since 1910, Divisions 1 to 3 had carried sub-divisions indicating colour. Then in 1975 Dr Tom Throckmorton of Iowa, USA, devised a more flexible code applicable to all daffodils. It has always been emphasized, however, that colour descriptions could be expected to vary considerably, based as they would be on individual perception, rarely on the RHS or any other recognized colour chart. Also, it is known that the colour of a cultivar can vary according to climate, weather and growing conditions. The colour code would remain only a guide to colour, though potentially a very good guide.
It was at the instigation of the Royal General Bulb Growers' Association of Holland and in subsequent consultation with the national daffodil societies that Collar daffodils were separated from Papillon daffodils in Division 11, the two kinds of split-corona proving to be of consistently different form.
The creation of a division for Bulbocodium hybrids, again after worldwide consultation, reflects the growing number of new registrations in this area.
To limit one division to daffodils distinguished solely by botanical name is to make the difference clear between on the one hand the botanical taxa and on the other hand any selections, whether of wild or cultivated origin, that have been distinguished by a cultivar name. Only the botanical taxa are classified in Division 13. Selections distinguished by a cultivar name, even if they were originally wild plants, are classified in one of Divisions 1-12. Names of botanical taxa are governed by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature - 1994 (the Botanical Code), names of cultivars and cultivar-groups by the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants - 1995 (the Cultivated Plant Code).
Horticultural classification
All daffodil cultivars are classified in one of Divisions 1-12 in the horticultural classification.
1. The classification of a daffodil cultivar will be that which is submitted by the person registering the cultivar, or will be based on the description and measurements submitted by that person.
2. The classification will consist of a division number (with letters a or b for Division 11) and a colour code.
3. The numbered divisions in which a daffodil cultivar may be placed are defined and illustrated in the horticultural classification.
4. Measurements taken in determining between Divisions 1, 2 and 3 will be those of the flower at maturity. The length of the perianth segments (the "petals") is the measurement from the tip of one segment, when flattened out, to the base of the corona (the "trumpet" or "cup"). The length of the corona is the measurement from the base of the perianth segments to the furthest margin of the corona.
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