Narcissus Laurens Koster

Narcissus Laurens Koster is an old variety, close to a botanical species of Mediterranean origin, also known as a Bouquet Narcissus or Constantinople Narcissus. This shortish variety develops several-flowered stems, bearing small flowers that stand out for their truly sumptuous fragrance. They have the rustic and authentic appearance of the flowers our grandparents loved, with a delicate white collar of sepals, and a short yellow-orange central crown. This narcissus blooms in mid-spring, but adapts very well to forcing for indoor flowers from the beginning of the year. This variety is excellent in every way and has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in England.

Narcissus belong to the amaryllidaceae family. The Narcissus genus includes around 50 species mainly found in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. 'Laurens Koster', introduced in 1906, is a very old horticultural hybrid whose parent is N. Tazetta, a very robust plant native to the Mediterranean region, that adapts to varied climates and conditions. 

 'Laurens Koster', whose parent was Narcissus poeticus Ornatus, stands out for its very powerful, magnificent fragrance, slightly larger flowers, and fewer flowers on each stem. The plant produces a very sturdy stem that reaches 35 cm (14in) high when in bloom. Each stem carries 4 to 5 small (sometimes many more), bicoloured, highly fragrant flowers 4 to 5 cm (2in) in diameter. The deciduous, linear foliage disappears in summer. 

There is such a wide choice of narcissus varieties that you can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting bored. They all naturalise easily, have a love for yellow and white, and often emit sweet fragrances. Plenty of reasons to grow them in large groups(at least 20 bulbs) for a mass effect. Associate 'Laurens Koster', in natural flower beds, with scillas and anemone blanda, , botanical tulips, forget-me-nots and small grasses like Stipa. A group of Tazetta Narcissus in a pot placed near the house or even in a lightly heated room will diffuse an exceptional fragrance. It is perfect as a cut flower.

Daffodil or Narcissus? Botanically speaking, daffodils are part of the narcissus family. They have flowers grouped in twos or more, and their corolla forms a bell-shaped trumpet longer than it is wide. The botanical species have the charm of wild plants and thrive in rock gardens: N.bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N.juncifolius, N.pseudonarcissus the simple wood daffodil, are among the prettiest. In a vase, we advise you not to mix narcissus with other flowers such as tulips, as the stems of narcissus contain a substance that quickly wilts other flowers. You can mitigate this detrimental effect on other flower types by dipping the ends of the narcissus stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.