Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus Haw. (13)

RHS Plant Profile
old pheasant's eye

Synonyms

Narcissus old pheasant's eye
Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus (Haw.) A. Fern.
Narcissus poeticus subsp. recurvus
Narcissus poeticus old pheasant's eye

Award of Garden Merit
Bulbs

A bulbous perennial to 35cm tall, with narrow, channelled grey-green leaves. Fragrant, white single flowers with slightly recurved petals have small, red-edged yellow cups with a green eye and appear in late spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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
Correct
Horticultural Group
Division 13 daffodils include all natural species and their varieties and forms
Plant Range
France to Greece

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs at one and a half to two times their own depth in autumn. Will tolerate most soils but prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is constantly moist during the growing season. See daffodil cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by removing offsets as the leaves fade in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Deadhead as flowers fade and 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