Sternbergia sicula 'Arcadian Sun'

RHS Plant Profile

winter daffodil 'Arcadian Sun'

RHS

Synonyms

Sternbergia lutea 'Arcadian Sun'

Bulbs

A bulbous perennial, up to 7cm high, with strap-shaped dark green leaves, with a central grey stripe, and rich golden yellow, goblet-shaped flowers in autumn; there are often two flowers on each stem

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Sternbergia are bulbous perennials with linear or strap-shaped basal leaves and solitary crocus-like flowers on leafless stems in autumn, late winter or spring
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 15cm deep in late summer or early autumn in an alpine house or bulb frame in full light, in equal parts loam, leafmould and sharp sand, and water moderately when in growth, gradually reducing water as the leaves die back and the bulb becomes dormant; outside, grow in a warm, very sunny position such as in front of a south-facing wall, in very well-drained soil, and leave undisturbed unless they produce fewer flowers

Propagation

Propagate by division of offsets from large clumps when dormant in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wall side borders
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to narcissus bulb flies, large narcissus bulb flies, and narcissus eelworms

Diseases

May be susceptible to daffodil viruses