Narcissus Trepolo

Narcissus Trepolo, also known as the Trepolo Orchid-flowered or butterfly Narcissus, is one of the brightest, with its cream corolla flamed with orange at the centre. This variety displays a medium-sized flower with finely cut floral segments, adorned with a very open, split and flattened crown, at the top of a sturdy stem. It flowers in March-April, at the same time as hyacinths and early tulips. It is slightly fragrant, a remarkable cut flower and an easy-to-grow, hardy plant that settles well in the garden.

'Trepolo' Narcissus belongs to the lily family (Amaryllidaceae), more precisely to division 11 of the large narcissus family, which has 12 divisions. The Narcissus genus includes about 50 species mainly found in Western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The 'Tripolo' narcissus is vigorous and prolific. It reaches about 30 cm (12in) high for the foliage, 40 cm (16in) when in bloom. Its bicoloured flowers consist of a corolla of creamy white petals onto which is inserted a flat, split crown of bright orange and white. They are remarkably architectural. It is an early flowering plant, in March-April, whose yellow-green flower buds give way to pretty slightly fragrant flowers. Split corona narcissus have a corona of petals split for at least one-third of their length, with the edges turned back towards the petals and slightly fringed. The flowers have six petaloid tepals and six stamens inserted into a cup-shaped crown. The deciduous, linear foliage disappears in summer. This variety multiplies easily by producing bulblets.

'Trepolo' Split Corona Narcissus is undemanding and grows in any well-drained and loosened soil, but results are not as good in very wet or acidic soils. There is such a choice of varieties among narcissus that you can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting bored. They can all naturalize easily, love yellow and white, and often emit sweet scents. So many reasons to grow them in large groups (at least 20 bulbs) for a mass effect. Grow 'Trepolo' narcissus in natural-looking beds with scilla and hyacinths, accompany them with early tulips, forget-me-nots, pansies, or liverworts. A bunch of 'Trepolo' narcissus will be sensational in a vase. This narcissus is also perfect in pots.

Daffodils are narcissus, they belong to division 7 of the group. Native to Southern Europe and North Africa, they have flowers grouped in pairs or more. Botanical species have kept the charms of wild plants and thrive in rockeries: N.bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N.juncifolius, N.pseudonarcissus and the simple wood jonquil are among the prettiest. In vases, 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. This harmful effect on other flower types can be reduced by dipping the ends of narcissus stems in warm water for 1 to 2 minutes.