Narcissus Bridal Crown

Narcissus 'Bridal Crown', a multiple award winner, is one of the most decorative and fragrant varieties. This small plant blooms early in spring with several stems, each carrying 3 to 5 very double, creamy white flowers with a yellow-orange throat with a sweet and enchanting fragrance. Floriferous and reliable, this narcissus will be as charming in the garden as it is in a flower pot where you can enjoy its incredible fragrance. Stunning in bouquets, it can also be forced indoors for winter flowering.

Narcissus belong to the amaryllidaceae family. The Narcissus genus includes about 50 species mainly found in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. 'Bridal Crown', introduced before 1949, is a wonderful horticultural hybrid that carries the genes of N. Tazetta, a very robust plant native to the Mediterranean region that adapts to various climates and conditions. 

 'Bridal Crown' is an excellent variety in every respect and has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in England. Its mother is the 'Innocence' narcissus, which it distinguishes itself with the doubling of its flowers. The plant blooms in March-April, sometimes earlier or later depending on the region. It produces two to three very sturdy stems 35-40 cm (14-16in) tall when in bloom. Each stem carries 4 to 5, sometimes 6, bicoloured, extremely fragrant flowers with a diameter of 4 cm (2in). Many small, slightly crumpled cream-coloured petals partially conceal a very short, deeply fringed, yellow-orange crown in the centre of the flower. Some segments of this crown are interspersed among the petals, which are transformed stamens. The deciduous, linear foliage disappears in summer.

There is such a choice of daffodils that one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting bored. They will all naturalise easily, they favour yellow and white, and they often have sweet fragrances. These are all reasons to grow them in large clumps (at least 20 bulbs) for a massed effect. Combine 'Bridal Crown'  in natural flower beds, with scilla and Anemone blanda, botanical tulips, forget-me-nots and small grasses like Stipa. A group of Tazette Narcissus in a pot placed near the house or even in a slightly heated room will diffuse an exceptional fragrance and it is perfect for cut flowers.

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