Narcissus Starlight Sensation

Narcissus 'Starlight Sensation' is a highly fragrant daffodil derived from N. triandrus, a botanical species from the Glénan Islands. This multiflorous variety produces up to 4 pretty ivory-white flowers gracefully nodding on each stem. It can bloom until May, pleasantly extending the long daffodil season. In the garden, its bulbs naturalise in well-drained soil that is not too dry in summer.

This cultivar belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. In the international horticultural classification of daffodils, ‘Starlight Sensation’ falls under Division 5, the Triandrus group: plants in this group are rather short, with nodding flowers, a short cup, and petals often slightly reflexed. The botanical species Narcissus triandrus grows naturally in the Iberian Peninsula and northwestern France, notably around the Glénan islands off Finistère.

'Starlight Sensation' is a Dutch horticultural cultivar by Karel J. van der Veek, registered in 2016. It results from cross-breeding the cultivars ‘Quasar’ and ‘Roussillon’. Its flowers are white, including both tepals and cup. The plant is perennial by its bulb. In spring, it produces narrow, strap-shaped, greyish green leaves which turn yellow and then disappear after flowering: the foliage is deciduous. The slender flower scapes reach 35 to 40cm tall. They carry up to four flowers, 6 to 6.5cm in diameter, white to greenish-white when opening, becoming creamy white. The six tepals are narrow, oval, slightly twisted, giving the flower a star-like appearance. The small, short and ribbed central cup displays the same very pale tones. The fragrance of this daffodil has a fruity note. Flowering occurs in mid-spring, from April to May.

There is such a choice of varieties among daffodils that one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever tiring. They naturalise easily, and some have a sweet fragrance. Plant the bulbs in large clumps (at least 20 bulbs) for a mass effect. Pair the daffodil 'Starlight Sensation' with Siberian squills and Greek anemones, mix it with Tulipa linifolia botanical tulips and forget-me-nots 'Savoie Blue'. A group of Triandrus daffodils in a pot placed near the house or even in a cool room will diffuse an exceptional fragrance. In flower arrangements, it is simply perfect.

Jonquil or daffodil? Botanically speaking, jonquils are a type of daffodil. They have flowers in clusters of two or more, and their coronula forms a campanulate trumpet longer than the corolla 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 wild daffodil, are among the most charming.
For flower arrangements, we advise not to mix daffodils with other flowers such as tulips, as daffodil stems contain a substance that quickly wilts other flowers. This harmful effect can be mitigated by dipping the ends of daffodil stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.