Narcissus 'Dutch Master'

A true timeless classic, the 'Dutch Master' Narcissus is the true daffodil of Easter. Its large golden-yellow flowers display a magnificent flared trumpet of an even more intense yellow, which irresistibly catches the eye against a backdrop of fresh foliage. Faithful and reliable, particularly robust, this variety has proven itself; it is sturdy and multiplies rapidly in the garden, forming beautiful clumps in sunny borders within a few years. With its short and sturdy stem that withstands the wind, it is a superb cut flower and an easy plant to grow.

The 'Dutch Master' Narcissus, registered in the Netherlands in 1948, belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. This exceptional variety has an impressive track record, including an Award of Garden Merit awarded in 1995 by the Royal Horticultural Society. The Narcissus genus includes around 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The 'Dutch Master' narcissus, like the majority of trumpet daffodils, is the result of cross-breeding between N. poeticus and N. x pseudonarcissus, or even N. incomparabilis. It is an excellent variety that has already proven itself and has given rise to 5 more recent varieties. The plant produces a stout and very sturdy stem that reaches 45cm (18in) in height when in flower, sometimes more. It is an early flowering plant, in March-April, with a large yellow-green flower bud that opens into a magnificent solitary flower, 8cm (3in) wide, with a trumpet that can reach up to 10cm (4in) in length. The flowers have six wide, yellow petal-like tepals. The stamens are inserted into a flared cup-shaped corolla and have plicate edges, of intense and pure golden-yellow colour. The foliage is deciduous, it disappears in summer.

There is such a variety of Narcissus varieties that you can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting bored. They have in common the ability to naturalize easily, to come in endless shades of yellow and white, and to often emit sweet fragrances. These are all reasons to grow them in large clumps on the lawn or at the edge of a border (at least 20 bulbs) for a multiplied effect. Combine the 'Dutch Master' narcissus, in wild or romantic borders, with Scillas and hyacinths, accompany them with double tulips but also forget-me-nots, daisies, chamomiles, or liverworts. A group of 'Dutch Master' narcissus in a vase creates a sensational effect. In pots, this narcissus is perfect.

For bouquets: we advise against mixing narcissus with other flowers such as tulips, as the stems contain a substance that causes other flowers to wilt quickly. This adverse effect can be mitigated by dipping the ends of the narcissus stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.