7 bicoloured daffodils to have in your garden

The Narcissus 'Avalanche', a prized daffodil

The Narcissus ‘Avalanche’ is an old variety prized for its fragrance and its small cut-flower arrangements of yellow and white flowers. The flower consists of a corolla of white petals framing a small central coronule of pale yellow. This Narcissus, 50–60 cm tall, blooms in March and April, producing 10 to 20 small flowers clustered at the top of each stem. It tolerates summer drought and is easy to grow in well-drained soil in the garden or in a rock garden. Moderately hardy, it withstands temperatures down to -18°C. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

In a garden, pair it with traditional roses, where it will fill in around their bases in spring, and create a fragrant, flowering bed.

The narcissus 'Flower Record', a reliable choice

Another old variety and a reliable choice for the garden, the narcissus ‘Flower Record’ is a widely grown bulbous plant. In April and May, the sturdy stems bear large bicoloured flowers, with a white corolla and a bright yellow central corona edged with orange or red, which gives it great elegance. The flowers are lightly scented and make wonderful cut flower arrangements in a vase. This narcissus grows up to 45 cm tall. Plant it in full sun or partial shade; it is hardy to −23°C. It naturalises easily under trees.

Plant it in groups at the foot of deciduous trees, and combine it with anemones blanda.

The narcissus 'Martinette', a vivid yellow and orange

The narcissus ‘Martinette’ is among the most fragrant jonquils. Bicoloured, its flowers appear in March and April, in the form of small cut flower arrangements of 4 to 5 stems. For each flower, a corolla of bright yellow petals surrounds a trumpet-shaped centre of a vivid orange. This 45 cm tall narcissus prefers well-drained soils, even dry in summer. It fits wonderfully into a border or a planter, or forms a flowering meadow with cheerful colours. Hardy to −23°C, it grows in full sun or partial shade.

Use this narcissus to create a planting bed with contrasting colours and pair it with forget-me-nots, botanical tulips and small ornamental grasses that will lighten the overall effect.

The narcissus 'Pipit', an original flower

Here is an original two-coloured flower that you don’t often see. The narcissus ‘Pipit’ is a very good plant that produces flowers made up of a corolla of pale yellow petals with a small white crown at the centre. 25 to 30 cm tall, this compact jonquil blooms in April. The flowers are lightly scented and keep well in a vase, like all narcissi. Easy to grow, it is hardy down to −23°C. It can be planted in full sun or partial shade, in the garden or on a balcony.

Pair these yellow flowers accented with white with hyacinths, also fragrant, in pots or on a lawn beneath trees.

The butterfly daffodil 'Apricot Whirl', orchid-like flowers

The butterfly narcissus ‘Apricot Whirl’ is a recent variété that stands out with its orchid-like, scented flowers. The corolla, pure white, frames a large apricot-pink crown, split and ruffled. Unusual, this daffodil attracts the eye during its flowering in March and April. The sturdy stems reach 40 cm in height. It is an easy-to-grow plant that will thrive provided it is placed in sun and in well-drained, not too acidic soil. It is hardy down to −23 °C.

Pair this narcissus with tulips in complementary colours that will bloom at the same time.

The narcissus 'Tahiti', an exotic touch

The Narcissus ‘Tahiti’ displays, as its name suggests, a tropical appearance. Its double flowers bloom from April to May in warm colours. A golden-yellow corolla embraces a central reddish-orange crown in a tousled tangle. Its sturdy stems make it resistant to the elements, especially rain. This 40 cm daffodil gives off a pleasant fragrance and is wonderful in borders and beds.

In a bed with a tropical feel, plant this unusual narcissus alongside tulips with striking new forms, double or fringed.

The narcissus 'Trepolo', a bright flower

The narcissus ‘Trepolo’ brings plenty of light to a garden or on a balcony, with its cream corolla, flushed with orange at its centre. This flower, borne on a sturdy stem, displays pretty chiselled details thanks to its split, open and flattened crown. It blooms in March and April. Slightly scented, this narcissus with an orchid-like flower is ideal for creating beautiful cut flower arrangements to display in a vase. Standing 40 cm tall, this daffodil is hardy down to −23 °C. It grows equally well in full sun or partial shade and in cool soil.

Plant this narcissus in groups on a lawn and pair it with white ‘Papillon’ narcissi to bring even more brightness.

Further reading

Discover our complete range of daffodils and see our factsheet on the cultivation and planting of daffodils.