Narcissus 'Ara' (6)

RHS Plant Profile
daffodil 'Ara'
Bulbs

A cyclamineus daffodil, 32-40cm high, with grey-green leaves, and horizontal or slightly upward-facing flowers, 8-9cm across, composed of yellowish white perianth segments and coronas which shade from pale bases to greenish yellow mouths with frilled rims, in mid-spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
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
Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, tortoises): Harmful if eatenskin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Narcissus are bulbous herbaceous perennials with linear leaves and leafless stems bearing flowers, which may be solitary or in umbels, with 6 spreading perianth segments and a cup or trumpet-shaped corona
Name Status
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Cyclamineus daffodils have solitary flowers, with reflexed perianth segments and usually a long corona

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs in autumn, in cool, neutral or acidic, moist but well-drained soil, 8cm apart, and at one-and-a-half times their own depth, slightly deeper in light soils and in grass, in full sun or light dappled shade; for more advice, see daffodil cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division: separate and replant offsets as the leaves fade in early summer, or in early autumn before new roots are produced

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Banks and slopes
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead as the flowers fade, but allow the leaves to die down naturally

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, narcissus bulb fly, narcissus eelworm, and bulb scale mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to narcissus basal rot, narcissus leaf scorch or daffodil viruses