Narcissus Waltz - Butterfly daffodil

'Waltz' is a split-corona daffodil or butterfly narcissus distinguished by its very pale salmon-apricot crown, displayed over white tepals like a pleated frill. This open flower is very different from the usual trumpet of daffodils. Its spring flowering makes an impact in a border, a pot or a flower bed visible from the house. Its very soft tones pair with blue, pale pink and silvery foliage.

This cultivar from the Amaryllidaceae family was bred by W. F. Leenen and introduced in 1999 in the Netherlands. It falls under horticultural division 11a, which groups split-corona daffodils of the collar type. In these varieties, the central crown is divided for more than half its length. The segments of this crown spread out in front of the six parts of the perianth, commonly taken for petals. The 'Waltz’ daffodil is a bulbous perennial: its bulb remains in the ground during summer and winter; it produces new growth each spring. The plant reaches about 40cm tall in flower. One bulb first forms a narrow clump, which gradually thickens through the production of bulblets. The foliage consists of long, narrow, strap-shaped, medium green, slightly bluish leaves surrounding flower stalks bearing a single flower at their tip. This flower measures around 10cm in diameter. The six white tepals are broad and slightly pointed. At the centre, the deeply cut crown opens almost flat. Its wavy, crumpled segments take on a shade of peach, salmon or pale rosy apricot. This particular form resembles an orchid or a butterfly more than a classic daffodil. Flowering occurs from March to April in a medium climate. Heavy rain can weigh down the large flowers and lay the stems flat. After flowering, the foliage feeds the bulb to replenish its reserves before yellowing and disappearing in early summer. 

In a border, several bulbs gathered in small groups offer a more natural effect than planting in a row. Planting in a fairly wide pot will allow closer observation of the flowers and can be sheltered from heavy rain. Its stems can be cut to make a small spring flower arrangement. This pastel variety can be paired with Muscari ‘Touch of Snow’, blue with white tips, and the fringed tulip ‘Brisbane’ in peach and pink tones. In moist soil and partial shade, Primula rosea ‘Grandiflora’ will form a bright pink foreground. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack of Diamonds’ offers blue flowers, then large silvery leaves which hide the foliage of the bulbs when it begins to yellow.