Narcissus (daffodil), Cyclamineus cultivars (division 6) trial 2025–2026

Objectives and purpose of the trial

The focus of this trial is to compare, record and display the merits of new and established Cyclamineus cultivars (Division 6) of Narcissus (daffodil). Daffodils are a much-loved sign of spring, and the Cyclamineus division of daffodils display single flower heads with distinctive swept-back petals which resemble cyclamen. This is an opportunity for the RHS Trials team at RHS Wisley, Surrey, to showcase these graceful daffodils, and those that perform best will be awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Colourful bed filling up with clusters of Narcissus in March 2025
Sunny Narcissus ‘Itzim’ with deep reddish-orange centres

Plants and location

What was planted?

A total of 34 distinct Cyclamineus cultivar selections (Division 6) of daffodils (Narcissus) were planted for evaluation in the trial. These cultivars, carefully chosen for assessment, were contributed by breeders and growers from both the UK and the Netherlands.

Records will be kept of when the first leaves emerge, the flowering dates, and the number of plants that come up blind (with foliage but no flowers). Photographs will be taken of each entry, showing its habit and a close-up of the flower.

Where is it planted?

The daffodil bulbs were planted in the open ground in the Trials Garden at RHS Wisley, ready to bloom into a stunning spring display. Here are some considerations for planting out daffodils:

  • Plant in groups for the best impact – most cultivars prefer a sunny position
  • Make sure to deadhead the flowers, but don’t be tempted to cut back or tidy the foliage after flowering. This will interfere with the bulb’s ability to store energy for the following years flowers

  • Most daffodils are hardy and need no additional winter protection
  • Wear gloves as daffodils can be a skin irritant

Narcissus facts

Freshly planted daffodils typically thrive and bloom successfully, but in the following years, their flowering may decrease or stop altogether, even though the leaves remain abundant and healthy. When daffodils produce foliage without flowers, they are known as blind. Learn more about daffodil blindness >

Judges and criteria

Judges of the trial

The trial panel is made up of 10 invited experts, with backgrounds in horticultural media, bulb breeding and supply, plant trials and garden management and design and includes members of the RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group. The trial panel will meet three or four times each year, at regular intervals during March and April to assess the plants from the first to the last flowers. As this is a two-year trial, at the final meeting in April 2026, the panel will independently vote for the daffodils they believe deserve an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

The 2025 Narcissus (daffodil), Cyclamineus cultivars (division 6) trial judges are: Camilla Bassett-Smith (Chair, television presenter, writer and RHS Bulb Expert Group), John Amand (Director, Jacques Amand International and RHS Bulb Expert Group), Ray Drew (Alpine Garden Society and RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group), Adele Dyer (Researcher at Which, Which Trials), John Gibson (Bulb expert), Alex Hankey (Garden Manager, RHS Wisley) , Jim McGregor (Alpine Garden Society and RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group), Kit Strange (Bulb specialist, RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group), Caroline Walter (Garden designer) and Richard Wilford (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and RHS Bulb Expert Group).

Judging criteria

The following factors are all taken into consideration as part of the judging of the trial:

  • Impact, balance of flower to foliage 
  • Leaf quality

  • Flowering performance 
  • Health and vigour

A vibrant cluster of daffodils stands tall in the trial bed
View of blooming Cyclamineus daffodils in the trial at RHS Wisley

Cultivation

Planting process

The daffodil bulbs arrived at RHS Wisley in September and October 2024 and were carefully planted by the Garden Team at the end of October 2024 as part of a dedicated trial bed.

Each entry was planted in groups of 25 bulbs, arranged in a neat five-by-five grid. Bulbs were set at a depth of 10–15cm and spaced 10cm apart, with smaller varieties placed a little closer together. The trial beds featured two staggered rows per entry, with 50cm left between different varieties for clear distinction.

To keep maintenance low, a layer of mulch was added to help suppress weeds and keep the beds tidy throughout the trial.

How we’re managing plant health

As part of the trial, the RHS team are looking out for slugs and Narcissus bulb fly, which daffodils can be susceptible to. Other common problems that can affect them include Narcissus basal rot and daffodil viruses. Any bulbs that are affected will be treated or removed as necessary and the details recorded.

Apart from ‘Jetfire’, Division 6 daffodils could be argued to be relatively unknown by many gardeners, yet with their backwards swept petals, they are so aesthetically pleasing.

Camilla Bassett-Smith, RHS Trial judge
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Plant portait of Narcissus ‘Warbler’
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RHS Garden team planting out daffodil bulbs in October 2024 at RHS Wisley
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Young daffodil shoots starting to emerge in late February 2025
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Plant portait of Narcissus ‘Warbler’
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RHS Garden team planting out daffodil bulbs in October 2024 at RHS Wisley
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Young daffodil shoots starting to emerge in late February 2025
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Narcissus ‘Mite’
How to grow daffodils

Explore all the information you need to know to grow and care for daffodils in your garden

How to grow daffodils
Did you know?

Daffodils are classified into 12 divisions – Trumpet, Large-cupped, Small-cupped, Double, Triandrus, Cyclamineus, Jonquil, Tazetta, Poeticus, Split-cupped and Miscellaneous.

Suppliers to the trial

List of plants in the trial

View all the daffodils on trial at RHS Wisley
  • Narcissus ‘Carice’
  • Narcissus ‘Cha-cha’
  • Narcissus ‘Charming Lady’
  • Narcissus ‘Englander’
  • Narcissus ‘February Gold’ 
  • Narcissus ‘First Born’
  • Narcissus ‘Itzim’
  • Narcissus ‘Iwona’
  • Narcissus ‘Jack Snipe’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Jack Sparrow’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Jenny’
  • Narcissus ‘Jetfire’
  • Narcissus ‘Kaydee’
  • Narcissus ‘Lady Madonna’
  • Narcissus ‘Lilac Charm’
  • Narcissus ‘Mangaweka’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Mite’
  • Narcissus ‘Mother Duck’
  • Narcissus ‘Orange Comet’
  • Narcissus ‘Peeping Tom’
  • Narcissus ‘Prinses Amalia’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Pre Party’
  • Narcissus ‘Prototype’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Rapture’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Sissy’
  • Narcissus ‘Snipe’
  • Narcissus ‘Stella Corscadden’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Step Child’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Sugar Dipped’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Surfside’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Toby the First’
  • Narcissus ‘Warbler’
  • Narcissus ‘Winter Waltz’ 
  • Narcissus ‘Wisley’
RHS Award of Garden Merit logo
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Get in touch

For more information on our RHS Plant Trials or to access older trial reports, please get in touch with our team via email at [email protected].

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