Narcissus Vanilla Peach

Narcissus 'Vanilla Peach' is a recent daffodil, displaying a large flower with remarkable colours. It boasts a quite spectacular peach-pink to salmon-pink crown. This wide and flat crown, divided into segments that intercalate between the petals of the corolla, has earned it the nickname of 'butterfly daffodil'. Almost white at the opening, the corolla takes on a pale-yellow hue at maturity, reminiscent of the colour of vanilla ice cream. This delicious flower is also subtly scented. Stunning in bouquets, it is an easy-to-grow and hardy plant that will quietly settle in the garden.

Narcissus 'Vanilla Peach' was introduced in 2009 in the Netherlands. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. More precisely, it belongs to division 11 of the large narcissus family, which has 13 divisions. The Narcissus genus includes about 50 species mainly found in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The 'Vanilla Peach' daffodil is vigorous and prolific. It reaches about 35cm (14in) in height for the foliage, 45cm (18in) when in bloom. Its flowers are bicoloured, composed of a corolla of creamy to pale-yellow petals onto which is inserted a flat and split coronule of salmon-pink. It blooms in March-April, with yellow-green flower buds that give way to large solitary flowers measuring 9.5cm (4in) in diameter. They are lightly scented. Split-crown daffodils have a corolla of petals split at least one third of their length, with the edge turned back towards the petals, making it slightly fringed. The flowers have six petal-like tepals. The six stamens are inserted into the split cup-shaped corolla. The foliage is deciduous and linear. It disappears in summer. This variety easily multiplies by producing bulblets.

The 'Vanilla Peach' split-crown daffodil is not demanding and can grow in any well-drained and loosened soil. However, it does not grow as well in excessively wet or excessively acidic soils. There are so many varieties of daffodils that you can enjoy them for three months in spring without getting tired for a single moment. They all easily naturalise, offer shades of yellow and white, and often emit sweet fragrances. Grow them in large clumps (at least 20 bulbs) for a vibrant effect. Plant the 'Vanilla Peach' daffodil in well-maintained flower beds alongside squills and hyacinths. You can also plant the bulbs with early tulips, forget-me-nots, pansies, or liverworts. A group of 'Vanilla Peach' daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. This daffodil is also perfect in pots.

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