Narcissus Curlew - Narcisse trompette, Jonquille trompette

The 'Curlew' daffodil is distinguished by its fragrant cream-white flowers with a long pale yellow crown. Each stem bears several, up to three. Vigorous but not very tall, this spring bulb withstands cold well; it returns faithfully each year if planted in well-drained soil. In borders, containers, and colonies under deciduous trees, its pastel colour pairs beautifully with blue blooms and young fresh green foliage.

This daffodil belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is a bulbous perennial: its leaves disappear each year before summer, but its bulb remains alive underground in summer. The leaves emerge at the end of winter, nourish the bulb during and after flowering, then yellow before drying. The plant then enters dormancy until the next cycle. One of the parents of the 'Curlew' cultivar, Narcissus jonquilla, grows naturally in southern and eastern Portugal as well as central and southern Spain. It has passed on its narrow leaves, light habit, and the fragrant character of its flowers. 'Curlew' was raised in Oregon by the American horticulturist Grant E. Mitsch, from the cross 'Killaloe' × Narcissus jonquilla, and registered in 1972. Its English name refers to the curlew, a shore wading bird; it is part of a series of daffodils named after birds. Despite its long crown comparable to a trumpet, this cultivar belongs to Division 7 Jonquilla daffodils, not the trumpet daffodil group. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded it an Award of Garden Merit in 2008. The bulb produces an upright clump of 30 to 35 cm in height and 10 to 15 cm in width, expanding over the years. Its dark green leaves are narrow, linear, and almost cylindrical. The fairly short stems bear one to three flowers, 7.5 cm in diameter. Each comprises six cream-white tepals around a long, narrow crown, pale yellow at the opening, then cream, and finally ivory. The flowers bloom mainly in April, mid to late in the daffodil season. This plant tolerates cold winters and exposed positions but dislikes stagnant water around the bulb, particularly in winter.
In a Mediterranean climate, the bulb copes very well with summer drought once dormant. However, it needs soil that remains moist in spring, or some watering after flowering until the foliage yellows, to replenish its reserves.

Plant this 'Curlew' daffodil in borders, in a lightly mown lawn, between stones in a cool rockery, in containers or under shrubs and deciduous trees. It thus receives light in spring before the branches become too dense. You can plant alongside it bulbs of Muscari armeniacum 'Valerie Finnis', double early tulip 'Avant Garde' or Anemone blanda 'Blue Shades'. Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is a useful companion as its growth will mask the absence of the bulbs in summer. Plant several 'Curlew' daffodil bulbs together, scattered randomly among other varieties: its multi-flowered stems will form a more decorative clump while retaining a natural look.