Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Botanical Name
Narcissus tazetta
Plant Common Name
Bunch-flowered Daffodil, Chinese Sacred Lily, French Daffodil
General Description
Spring announces its impending entrance with the French daffodils' fragrant and abundant blooms. A highly variable perennial bulb native to the Mediterranean and naturalized across much of the world, its selections and hybrids once numbered in the hundreds.
Emerging from the ground as early as late fall, the bluish green, upright, keeled foliage appears and resembles grass blades. At any time from midwinter to late spring, depending on the variety and climate, erect stems bear 4 to 20 out-facing, amazingly fragrant blossoms at their tips. The small white (sometimes yellow) flowers have a tiny cup that is usually yellow. Foliage goes dormant by early summer.
Plant this relatively cold-tender bulb in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil that is moist in spring. Although some winter chill is required for good flowering and growth, this bulb does well in relatively balmy regions such as the Southeast United States. Use it to spangle rockeries, perennial beds, lawns, or mixed borders. It is breathtaking in massed naturalistic plantings. Its bulbs, leaves, and flowers contain compounds that repel hungry garden rodents and foraging deer.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6"-20" / 15.2cm - 50.8cm
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Width
3"-6" / 7.6cm - 15.2cm
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Winter, Late Winter
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Native To
Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Africa, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Black Walnut Toxicity, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Ivory
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes
