Narcissus Giant Split - Daffodil

Narcissus ‘Giant Split’ is a split-corona daffodil that produces large orchid-type flowers. Its very light yellow, widely open bloom displays a cut corona that spreads almost like a second row of petals. They make a striking display in a flower bed, especially when the bulbs are planted in groups. This variety suits spring scenes, sunny borders and large containers. Its flowers are superb in cut flower arrangements.

This cultivar belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is a bulbous perennial plant: the bulb rests for part of the year, producing leaves and a flower stem in spring. The genus Narcissus is native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. Many species grow in meadows, woodland edges, open woods and rocky areas of the Mediterranean basin.
'Giant Split' is a Dutch introduction from J. Gerritsen & Son, registered in 1988 by P.Q.M. Pennings. Its parents are 'Belcanto' and 'Obelisk'. It belongs to Division 11a of daffodils, the ‘collar’ type split-corona daffodils: the corona is deeply divided and its segments lie in front of the outer floral parts. This structure gives the flower its wide, open and unusual appearance. The flower stem reaches about 40 cm in height. Its foliage, deciduous after flowering, consists of narrow, strap-shaped green leaves. The plant slowly spreads by means of small bulbs appearing against the mother bulb. Each stem bears a single large flower 10 cm in diameter, composed of tepals of very pale yellow, sometimes almost cream depending on the light and stage of opening. The central corona, also yellow, shows brighter tones in the centre and more creamy ones at the edges. The flowering of this variety is early, between April and May.

In the garden, this daffodil is planted in groups of five to ten bulbs, at the edge of a border, in a perennial bed or in a large container. It thrives in loosened, fertile soil that is moist in spring but not waterlogged. It combines well with pastel-toned spring bulbs such as Muscari armeniacum ‘Valerie Finnis’, Ipheion uniflorum ‘Alberto Castillo’, Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ or Tulipa fosteriana ‘Exotic Emperor’. In containers, water during the growth and flowering period, then reduce watering when the leaves begin to yellow and dry.

For cut flower arrangements: we advise you not to mix daffodils with other flowers. The stems contain a substance that quickly causes other flowers to wilt. This harmful effect can be reduced by dipping the ends of daffodil stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.