Narcissus Obdam

Narcissus 'Obdam' displays a solitary flower at the end of each sturdy stem, with a size rarely matched among narcissus. Its corolla is fully double, with a pure white colour warmed by a touch of ivory. The flower is pleasantly fragrant. Flowering usually takes place in April, earlier or later depending on the climate. It is a remarkable bouquet flower, which also has a beautiful effect in borders, flower beds, and large pots. It is a reliable variety that is easy to grow and naturalise in the garden. Pair it with muscari or scarlet triumph tulips.

Narcissus 'Obdam' belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. More specifically, it belongs to division 4 of the large narcissus family, which has 13 divisions. The Narcissus genus includes about 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. Narcissus 'Obdam' was introduced in 1984. It is a double-flowered sport of the famous N. 'Ice Follie'. It possesses the same robustness and ease of cultivation. 'Obdam' produces a particularly sturdy stem that reaches a height of 40cm (16in) when in bloom. It is a mid-late flowering plant, blooming in April-May, with a large yellow-green floral bud that opens into magnificent double flowers, 10 to 12cm (4 to 5in) wide. They are pure white to pale-ivory in colour, and are highly fragrant. Double-flowered narcissus have an additional crown of petals and a long flowering period. The flowers have numerous petaloid tepals. The stamens, transformed into petals, are inserted into a cup-shaped crown or paracorolla. The linear foliage is deciduous and disappears in summer.

There are so many daffodil cultivars that one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting tired. They all have in common the ability to naturalise easily, to offer an infinite range of yellow and white shades, and to often emit sweet fragrances. Grow them in large clumps in lawns or at the edge of flower beds (at least 20 bulbs) for an enhanced effect. Pair 'Obdam’ with squills, hyacinths, Tulipa 'Angelique', T, 'Red Impression', forget-me-nots, muscari, daisies, chamomiles, or liverworts. A group of 'Obdam’ daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. This daffodil is also perfect in pots.

Daffodils are narcissus, belonging to division 7 of the group. Native to southern Europe and North Africa, they bear flowers grouped in twos or more. There is also the botanical species that has retained the charm of wild plants and thrives in rockeries: N. bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N. juncifolius, N. pseudonarcissus are among the prettiest.

For bouquets, we advise against mixing narcissus with other flowers, especially tulips, as daffodil stems contain a substance that causes other flowers to wilt quickly. This detrimental effect on other flower species can be attenuated by dipping the ends of narcissus stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.