Narcissus Tripartite

Narcissus 'Tripartite' is a split-corona daffodil. It bears several small, astonishingly fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers, grouped at the end of each stem. Their perianth is adorned with an open, split and flattened crown, resembling two flowers nestled within each other, imitating an orchid called golden rain. They appear in March, at the same time as hyacinths and early tulips. It is a remarkable bouquet flower. It is an easy-to-grow, hardy plant that settles quietly in the garden. 

Narcissus 'Tripartite' belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. More precisely, it belongs to division 11a of the large narcissus family, which consists of 13 divisions. The Narcissus genus includes about 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The 'Tripartite' narcissus is vigorous and prolific, with each stem producing 3 to 20 flowers. The foliage reaches about 30cm (12in) in height. When in bloom, it reaches about 40cm (16in). Its small, bright lemon-yellow flowers are remarkably architectural. It is an early flowering plant, blooming in March, with yellow-green flower buds that open into beautiful, fragrant flowers. Split-crown narcissus have a crown of petals split at least one-third of their length, with the rim turned back towards the petals. They are slightly fringed. The flowers have six petal-like tepals. The six stamens are inserted into a cup-shaped crown or paracorolla. The linear foliage is deciduous and disappears in summer. This variety easily multiplies by producing bulblets.

Narcissus 'Tripartite' is low-maintenance and grows in any well-drained and loosened soil, but the results are less favourable in excessively wet or acidic soils.

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 'Tripartite’ with squills, hyacinths, early-flowering tulips, forget-me-nots, pansies, or liverworts. A group of 'Tripartite’ 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 have flowers grouped in pairs 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.